Healing with Homoeopathy in Breast Abscess- a case

Dr Bhavana Saini 

Background:
The concept of Breast infections (including infectious mastitis and breast abscess) more commonly affects women aged 15-45 years, especially those who are lactating. However, mastitis and breast abscess can occur at any age. Staphylococcus aureus is the most frequently isolated pathogen. Breast abscess is a localised area of infection with a walled-off collection of pus. It may or may not be associated with mastitis

Prompt and appropriate management of mastitis usually leads to a timely resolution and prevents complications, such as a breast abscess. Breast abscess requires both the removal of pus and antibiotic therapy. Interventions can include aspiration and incision, and drainage procedures. It is imperative to identify and treat any underlying co-existent causes of infection to facilitate resolution and prevent recurrence. It is also necessary to exclude breast carcinoma (1).

Sphere of conventional Medicine in case of Breast abscess

Out of the heterogeneity in management methods of breast abscess, there is, in fact, not enough data to state if needle aspiration is a better option than incision and drainage for a breast abscess. Additionally, it is unclear whether antibiotics should always be administered to women undergoing incision and drainage or aspiration. The few case series available reveal that the outcome for most women is excellent with any of these methods, but it is not known which is superior. However, with all three methods, recurrence of breast abscess is common. Thus, it is highly recommended that a standardised interprofessional approach be developed to manage breast abscess, lower the rates of recurrence, and improve outcomes. (2)

Role of Homoeopathy:
Homoeopathy treatment is not confined only to treating the breast abscess; the goal is to prevent a recurrence and cure by holistically addressing the root cause of the ailment. This method is economical, and treatment can be administered in the outpatient department (OPD) without requiring secondary or tertiary medical facilities.

Case Presentation:

A 32-year-old unmarried woman came with a large, actively inflamed abscess in her right breast, LUQ. She is fair, with flabby skin and light hair. Tired easily on slight exertion.

Local Examination: There was profuse, yellowish, pus-filled swelling on inspection. Erythema, induration, warmth, and tenderness were noted on palpation of the affected breast. Vitals

Blood Pressure: 90/70mmHg Pulse: 120 beats/min Temperature: 98.6°F

Investigation:

BS (FF, PP) = WNL LFT=WNL

Lipid Profile: WNL TSH=WNL

Mental space: FASTIDIOUS ++, Organised about things, anxious about new challenges and work. Industrious, concerned about parents’ health and family matters

Anxious if this abscess develops into CA or so Perspiration ++ (chest, abdomen)

Odour: offensive, feel relaxed after sweating Yellow stain on linen ++

Tea Desires+++

Thirst: frequent for normal to cold water Craves: Sweet

Menses: Regular

Skin: Moist, oily, tendency to suppurate if not managed on time, in most cases recurrently on sites like buttock++++, abdomen ++

Repertorization:

Mind -Rest -cannot rest when things are not in the proper place Mind -Anxiety -family about

Stomach -thirst -frequently; drinking Perspiration -Odour-offensive – exertion on Perspiration -staining the linen

Difficult to wash out

Skin-Eruptions-Covered parts; on

Generals -Abscess -hasten suppuration; remedies to Generals -food and drinks-tea -hot

Generals-Perspiration-during amel.

Prescription:

Belladon 200 B.D. * 3 days (TDS) for 4 days Followed by Placebo

Follow up

• Inflammation: reduced
• Discharge of Pus increased with reduced anxiety and the regaining of trust and Peace on her face Localised cleaning dressing with calendula Q
• Silicea 1M BD * 3 days with Placebo * 10 days Discharge +++

Healing with dryness of the abscess Pain = absent

Sensitivity of localised area: Reduced

Based on the acute health issue patient is prescribed Belladonna and Silicea. However, Thuja is also complementary to Silicea hence later on kept with THUJA 200 in order to have clear miasmatic shades on the life space of the patients.

Conclusion:
The evacuation of pus and the removal of inflammatory signs were the desired results for the breast abscess example, provided that the case and its characteristics were carefully considered. Consequently, this example expands the use of homoeopathy and opens up possibilities for extensive, long-term research studies for further scientific validation.

References:

1. https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/1084
2. Toomey AE, Le JK. Breast Abscess. 2023 Jun 26. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan–. PMID:

Dr.Bhavana Saini 
Email : medicoboonniki@gmail.com