Living with chronic inflammation in the breast tissue can be confusing because the exact cause is often hard to pin down. New research highlights that physical factors, like certain duct structures or nipple shapes, can trigger a chain reaction of blockage and swelling. This process leads to what doctors call plasma cell mastitis.
While some think germs are the main culprit, evidence is mixed. Most cases actually show no signs of bacteria. Instead, the body's own immune system becomes overactive, releasing inflammatory proteins that cause lasting irritation. Other factors like smoking and weight can also play a role by triggering hormonal changes and chronic inflammation.
Because the exact cause remains complex, doctors currently rely on a mix of steroids to calm the immune response and surgery to fix physical blockages. While we still need more advanced research to map out every step of this process, these findings help doctors better identify who needs medical intervention.