Carbuncle is a Chinese medicine alias for acute mastitis. Carbuncle refers to the localized redness, swelling and pain in patients with acute mastitis.
Acute mastitis is known as canker sores in Chinese medicine, which are caused by the accumulation of breast milk and heat (the evil qi is transformed into heat if it stays for too long) or the nipple is broken, and the wind attacks the nipple, resulting in pus forming canker sores. It often occurs in breastfeeding and pregnant women.
Canker sores can also be related to liver depression and stagnation of qi (poor qi and blood transportation in the liver, emotional depression), which results in an imbalance in the regulation of breast milk secretion, and the formation of lumps of milk due to congestion. Carbuncles are also associated with stomach heat and congestion, with stagnation of qi and blood and blockage of the milk channels. These two causes occur mainly in non-lactating, non-pregnant women.
Canker sores are often characterized by poor milk discharge, hard nodules and painful swelling of the affected breast, which may be accompanied by fever, general weakness and soreness. After a few days, the nodule may increase in size, the skin becomes red and hot, there is pressure pain, the nodule becomes soft and pus, and there is a throbbing sensation. The swelling and pain will gradually disappear after the abscess breaks down naturally or the pus is discharged through incision, and the pus does not flow out well, resulting in swelling and pain.
It is recommended that the patient consult the doctor in time and follow the doctor’s instructions for examination and treatment.