Plugged milk duct
Stasis of milk in the duct usually caused by ineffective feeding or local pressure from constrictive clothing in lactating women
- Although there is unilateral focal swelling and tenderness, there is no fever, warmth, or erythema
- Onset is more gradual than in mastitis and symptoms occur after feedings
- When treated with warm packs, massage, and continued breastfeeding, symptoms are rapidly relieved when the hard particulate material is expressed, and milk is released from the affected part of the breast
- May lead to mastitis if untreated