Engorgement and incomplete breast emptying can contribute to the problem and make symptoms worse. Chronic mastitis Chronic mastitis occurs in women who are not breastfeeding. In postmenopausal women, breast infections may be associated with chronic inflammation of the ducts below the nipple. Hormonal changes in a woman s body cause the milk ducts to become clogged with dead skin cells and debris. These clogged ducts make the breast more open to bacterial infection.
Infection tends to recur even with treatment with antibiotics.
Cancer A very rare type of cancer called inflammatory carcinoma can have the same symptoms as mastitis. If you are not breastfeeding and you have symptoms of mastitis, it is important to see your doctor for further evaluation. Other causes Women who are not breastfeeding can also develop mastitis. In healthy women this is rare. However, women with diabetes, chronic illness, AIDS, or an impaired immune system are more susceptible.