have I got mastitis?

[gio71]

One of my boobs is really sore across the top and one side. It feels rock hard in this area, like its engorged but having no joy expressing from it-nothing really coming out and ds seems disinterested in feeding from it making me think he's not getting anything either. Yesterday I had my handbag strap cutting across my boob-(trying to work out how to work a baby bjorn and handbag comfortably)-could this be the cause? Its really painful but not the complete agony a lot of previous postings describe it as. Is this only the beginning?? Any advice?

[Kelly1978GotRunOverByAReindeer]

I've had infections start off like that, though they usually felt hot to the touch as well. i do think that maybe you should get it checked out as full blown mastitus is not nice.

[mandymac]

Sounds like it could be a blocked duct, which if left could develop into mastitis. I had this a few times (blocked duct) and always managed to head it off before it turned into mastitis with a combination of the following:
Take ibruprofen if it is ok for you - this helps bring down inflamation and with the discomfort. Try a shower - letting hot water run over boob and then very gently massaging towards the nipple from the sore area (sort of using finger tips like a comb - in fact some people actually use afro type comb for this).
Try using warm flannel and massage as above just prior to feeding ds. Another tip is to try and feed with ds's chin pointing towards the sore area (then his sucking should help clear the blockage).
I used to do all the above and managed to avert mastitis on several occasions (my GP was well impressed ) and all thanks to the above advice courtesy of MN of course.

[LadyT]

I did have blocked ducts, but seem to have cleared them with a bit of massage. So I am no longer swollen or tender, but this morning there are lots of red rash-like rings on the skin, on the inner sides of my boobs - where there was tenderness a few days ago. Any ideas what this might be? I feel fine, and am not sore anymore.