Introduction:
Has an individual ever had a breast injury? One can deduce how painful it could be! The breasts are usually made up of glandular tissues that help with milk secretion and fat tissues that are present in between. Breasts do not have muscles in them, making them one of the most sensitive areas in the body; any damage to them will cause intolerable pain. Such injuries are usually not a significant issue to be worried about. It will resolve in a while, causing no harm to the individual.
What Is Breast Trauma?
Breast trauma is the injury or hit to the breasts. The hit to the breasts can be done by a direct blow. This can be done via sports injury, physical assault, or accidents. There will be damage to the breast tissue.
What Are the Causes of Breast Trauma?
There are many causes of breast trauma. Trauma can occur due to the following reasons;
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Vehicle accidents when the breasts are hit can cause breast injuries in women.
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Sexual assaults on the breasts.
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Compressing the nipple frequently.
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Breast trauma can be caused to a fall.
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Accidental hit on the breasts.
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During any physical activity, when the female does not wear proper undergarments and lead to injury.
What Are the Symptoms of Breast Trauma?
The signs and symptoms of breast trauma are as follows:
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Pain or aches could aggravate even when touched.
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Tenderness throughout the affected breast.
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Swellings with an increase in the size of the breast.
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Bruises in the breast.
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The appearance of one or more hematomas (blood clots formed due to the injury).
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Rarely breast trauma can result in bleeding as well.
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Breast lumps at the site of injury.
What Could Be the Side Effects of Breast Trauma?
The side effects of the breast trauma are as follows:
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Breast injuries can damage the blood vessels that supply the breast, initiating a bleed and thereby forming blood clots in the breast.
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Fat necrosis is a relatively uncommon condition that develops when scar tissues replace the damaged fatty cells in the breast as a bodily response to the damage. These can present as a lump in the injury site.
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Oil cysts can develop due to trauma, in which the damaged fatty tissues in the breast are filled with an oily substance in a sac-like form leading to a lump.
What Are the Home Remedies to Manage a Breast Trauma?
The home remedies to manage breast trauma are as follows:
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The injured site should be given a cold compress for a few minutes in the first two to three days following the injury.
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Over-the-counter, anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, etc. can be taken to minimize the inflammation.
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Choose undergarments that support the breasts, keeping them comfortable and breathable throughout the day.
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Areas with hematomas should be given a hot compress using a washcloth.
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Avoid wearing heavy clothing for a few days following the injury.
What Is the Treatment for Breast Trauma?
The treatment measures for breast trauma are:
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Breast trauma usually does not require any specific medical treatment as such because the symptoms typically disappear on their own with home care in a few days.
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If there is a persistent lump or severe, long-lasting pain, it is better to seek medical support. Sometimes, the lumps are advised to be removed surgically, and the cysts are aspirated (fluid accumulated in it is withdrawn) using needles.
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Usually, the breast lumps caused due to the trauma could be mistaken for a cancerous lesion.
How to Prevent Breast Trauma?
Breast traumas that happen accidentally cannot be prevented in every case. However, it is possible to control them by wearing the correct sized undergarment with good support, which will act as a protective layer to avoid traumas of the breast.
When to Seek Medical Help for Breast Trauma?
Experiencing any of the below symptoms indicates the need for medical intervention.
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Persistent lumps that might or might not show symptoms.
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Nipple showing discharges like blood or pus.
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Severe rashes or itching in the breasts.
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Swelling that does not regress.
In such cases, the doctor will usually advise getting an ultrasound of the breast, but in some cases, may also recommend getting a mammogram, CT (computed tomography) scan, or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to rule out if it is cancerous. If it gets difficult to rule out the condition using the above methods, it is suggested to get a biopsy in which a small amount of the tissue is removed and sent for a laboratory test.
Can Breast Trauma Cause Cancer?
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It is often considered that any trauma to the breast can turn cancerous with time, which is untrue. There is no such information confirming that breast trauma could cause breast cancer.
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When a female has breast pain, it is essential to analyze the cause of the breast pain before concluding it to be the most severe issue possible and developing unnecessary panic.
What All to Suspect When a Female Has Breast Pain?
Breast pain in women is not unusual. It could be due to a cause that has not been figured out yet. Here are a few possibilities that can help to relate.
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Hormonal fluctuations rank top in the reasons for breast pain. Breasts are prone to tenderness a few days before the periods and are typically due to progesterone and estrogen levels shooting up.
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Breast trauma, as discussed, could be a cause.
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It could be some medications that could cause breast pain as a side effect.
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It can be a sign that the undergarment does not fit well.
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Infections or certain cysts have formed.
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Breast pain or tenderness is normal to happen when a female is breastfeeding.
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It could be a pain from underneath, like ribs, that mimics breast pain.
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Sometimes, it could be something severe as breast cancer found through breast examination and tests like a mammogram.
Conclusion:
Breast trauma can cause excruciating pain and is scary. Still, it is like any other trauma that can be managed with proper rest and care. People should use proper undergarments that fit well. Breast trauma can be recovered with relatively no complications. However, getting medical support is mandatory in cases of severe injury and pain
