Plugged duct?

[fawnanddoe]

I had mastitis a couple of weeks ago. I finished the 10 day course of antibiotics and it seemed to go away.
Now my left breast is entirely red and my nipple is a little tender. I have been nursing frequently on that side, pumping, using a warm compress, taking hot showers and hand expressing but nothing seems to be happening.
Does this sound like a plugged duct, or could it be something else?

[pbjmama]

Sounds like a plugged duct to me. Are you massaging all the way from the armpit in while nursing? You can also take ibuprofen and use a cool compress after nursing. Watch out for bras that don't fit properly or anything pressing on the breast.

[kthomson]

Could be the antibiotics weren't the right ones for the bacteria that caused the mastitis. Really red breast says mastitis to me. I have successfully gotten rid of plugged ducts and early mastitis by using a heating pad ALL night as hot as I could stand. But if things don't improve after 1 night and if fever or body aches are there I think another trip to the doctor is in order. Maybe they can culture the breast milk this time.
Good luck!

[PatioGardener]

Here's a great kellymom page about mastitis and plugged ducts that may help you. I hope you feel better soon!
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html