Does anyone know how to get rid of thrush?

Question

My baby and i have had it for over 2 months now. We tried nystatin for both of us with no luck. I've tried gentian violet, GSE topically and orally for my baby. I have been on Diflucan (Fluconazole) for 2 weeks now with no real improvements. I resorted to pumping because it hurt his mouth at 3 weeks of age and now he's almost 12 weeks and we STILL have it. My doctor is an idiot, but my insurance wont work for any good doctors. I also tried miconazole topically and apple cider vinegar for a while. Now, using GSE topically seems to keep most of the horrible burning and itching sensations at bay. I'm also taking it in capsule form as well as Bio-k plus that has active cultures in it. I just want to get rid of this horrible thing so I can teach him how to breastfeed again and get back to work before I go broke. I have spent a fortune trying to get rid of this. Pumping and then feeding him with it in a bottle, along with endless sanitizing is making life miserable. PLEASE HELP

Answer 1

I like the answer above by Gravyelbo. Very informative.
The key is Candida. You have to get rid of it out of your and your baby's system. The best natural solution is pro-biotics coupled with some dietary considerations for you i.e. limit sugar and refined flour/processed foods. Have a look at some sites that deal with Candida. All the best.

Answer 2

you poor thing! Well- switching back and forth of antibiotics is NOT going to help! Thrush is a bacterial growth- and all those antiboitics will lower your immune systems natural defenses! it's like when a woman is on too many antibiotics and develops yeast infections. As horible is it is- i'd suggest taking a break from all the meds for a few days- and just pay extra attention to treating the symptoms. giveing both yourself and your child a chance to regulate your bodys natural defenses for a few days should "clear the board" before you try another approach. Contact your local lactation consultant, or midwife- even if your insurance doesnt cover it- they can offer you advice over the phone- as women and mothers- they'd be MONSTERS not to help! Most counties have a local LACCA group who could offer more help as well! Good Luck! Hang in there- BREAST IS BEST! And try not to pump anymore than you absolutely have to- it makes going back to the breast very difficult for most women!

Answer 3

Hi! I went through the same thing with my little one when she was 2 months old. It lasted just over 2 months and we had a horrible time of it, so I can sympathize. My doctor told me to use something called Micatin which is used to treat athlete's foot and jock itch! I used it on myself and it did the deed for me. As for my daughter, I would take some gauze and soak it in the Nystatin in order to scrape the thrush off her gums and tongue instead of giving it to her to drink as an oral medication. Try that! Good luck to you and know that there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Answer 4

make sure you use nursing pads so your clothes don't reinfect you. The baby probably developed it and infected your breasts. Acidofilus culture as in yogurt is good to have. do you eat yogurt? stay away from sugar or sweets. Talk to a dentist .They are expert with the mouth.

Keep trying to find another dr until things work for you. Your dr should prescribe an antifungal for you and the baby to use until it clears up. sometimes thrush becomes resistant to the antifungal you are using. So persistance is best. Stay away from sugar and keep your baby away from sugary drinks.anything this touches can reinfect you both. your husband maybe he has it too? Saltwater mouthwashes help.

There is a product for use on your cracked nipples called PureLan100 and Lansinoh for soothing cracked breasts that I used on my nipples when I breastfed. It is natural lanolin.

Answer 5

My kids had it and I would suggest NO SUGAR at all, or at least as much as possible to avoid it, and something called grapefruit seed extract. Grapefruit seed extract is sold in many health stores, same as the genetian violet. If you dilute the grapefruit seed extract and swish it around, you can put it anywhere. This stuff actually can clean your whole house, is 100 percent natural, and kills everything lol. I gave it to my kids orally, AND put it on my daughters butt as a diaper rash cream for a yeast infection she had. You can soak your binkies, baby toys and breast pump in it, and it kills everything on them. It might help you!! I would definatly try it, seeing as you have already tried so many other things! If you have any questions, you can look it up online, or email me and I can try and answer! Good luck!

Answer 6

It could be the pump that is re-infecting you both....im not sure if sanitizing the stuff is enough (believe it or not) ....the best cure is to stop eating sugar....treat nipples and babies mouth directly wiith plain vinegar....i hope he will nurse directly after that! Look into replacing your pump parts....La Leche League may have more info...you can call a leader for free.....

Answer 7

Yeast Infection Cure Secrets : http://YeastCured.uzaev.com/?TWJC

Answer 8

I had it bad too!! My babys dr told me to use the nystain and as soon as I was done feeding to clean my nipple and put on chlortrimazole (antifungal cream) but I had to be 100% careful to wipe my nipple clean before I put the baby back on my breast. you don't want the baby to get the cream in his mouth. I can't remember how often I had to apply the cream.

Answer 9

Wow! You poor girl. I would talk to a lactation consultant and see if she has any suggestions. Everything you listed is what I would have suggested. The LC might have some tricks up her sleeve.

Answer 10

acidopholis capsels taken by you orally. plain live yogurt on you nipples, these will treat you both.
also cabbage leaves in your bra sooth sore nipples! (sounds weird but works!)
you have had this for too long,,, your doctor is a moron
SIX WAYS TO TREAT THRUSH
Acidophilus – this is a powder form of the normal bacteria that live in our mouth and intestines. Click on it to learn how to apply it in baby's mouth.
Nystatin – this is a prescription antifungal liquid that you either squirt or paint with a Q-tip in baby's mouth four times a day. Continue this for five days after the thrush has cleared since it can be quite stubborn. It is common for thrush to recur, and more than one course of nystatin is often needed. One good aspect of nystatin is that it is not absorbed from baby's intestines into the bloodstream. Rather, it goes right through baby and out in the stool.
Sterilize bottle nipples or pacifiers – boil them for 20 minutes each day to kill the yeast that may be residing on them.
Wash toys that baby frequently chews on in hot, soapy water every day.
Don't forget to treat mom if breastfeeding – see below.
If the candida is resistant to the standard treatments described above, in consultation with your healthcare provider, try a 0.25 - 0.5 percent solution of gentian violet applied to your nipples twice a day for three days. Gentian violet is effective, but messy. Also, apply a small amount once a day to baby's mouth, but be aware that overuse of gentian violet may irritate the sensitive oral mucus membranes of baby's mouth. Apply Vaseline to baby's lips before using the gentian violet to avoid purple stains.
Warning - gentian violet has been used for many years to treat thrush. A recent study done in Australia has linked gentian violet to cancer of the mouth. However, many other professionals around the world believe that it is safe, and continue to recommend it. For this reason, we suggest you use this remedy sparingly, and for as little time as possible.

BREASTFEEDING AND THRUSH
The yeast can be passed back and forth between mom's nipples and baby's mouth. The yeast can begin to infect the skin around the nipples. While this is usually mild, it can turn into a chronic, painful, itchy problem that is very difficult to eradicate. Symptoms of nipple yeast infection:

sore nipples
red or pink nipples
itchy or burning nipples, even when not feeding baby
puffy, dry, or flaky nipples
deep, shooting breast pain during or after feedings
Because of the possible severity of chronic yeast infections in the breasts, we suggest mom's nipples be treated along with baby's treatment. This will usually prevent the yeast from taking hold on mom. See below.

TREATING CHRONIC YEAST INFECTION OF THE BREAST
If you feel that you have chronic yeast infection of the nipples and/or breasts, here are some steps you can take to eradicate it:

Treat baby – as above, even if baby's thrush has resolved.
Acidophilus – this is a very important natural remedy for any yeast infection. Click on it to learn how to take it.
After each nursing, follow these 5 steps:
Breastmilk – massage a bit into the nipples after nursing, then let air-dry.
White vinegar – mix a solution of one tablespoon white vinegar in one cup of water. Keep the bottle next to your nursing chair. Dab a bit onto each nipple and let air dry after each nursing.
Nystatin anti-fungal cream – available by prescription. Apply 2 to 3 times a day to each nipple after nursing.
Clortrimazole anti-fungal cream – you can use this over-the-counter cream in place of Nystatin. Do not use both!
Hydrocortisone ointment 2.5% - available by prescription and if recommended by your doctor for severely swollen painful nipples. Apply 2 to 3 times a day when not applying nystatin.
Diflucan – this is a very strong prescription anti-fungal pill. It can be used under supervision by your OB/GYN or baby's pediatrician to treat very severe and stubborn infections.
CHRONIC, RESISTANT CASES OF THRUSH IN MOM OR BABY
Occasionally, yeast can become very stubborn,persistent or recur despite the above treatments. Here are some steps you can take to eradicate the yeast from you and your baby. Some of these steps are extremely time-consuming. Take the steps that you feel are most appropriate for you.

Hot water over 122º F will kill yeast, either in the laundry, dishwasher, sink, or on your skin (not infants – too hot!).

Microwaving your undergarments on high for 5 minutes will kill yeast (make sure there’s no metal in the bra).

Sunlight kills yeast. Hang infected clothing outside to dry in the sun.

Freezing does not kill yeast.

Stored breastmilk pumped during an active yeast infection of the breasts should be dumped (this will make pumping moms cringe, but should be done if necessary).

Dishwashers – use the hot water setting when washing infected items.

For infected items that you choose to hand wash (such as pump parts, bottles, artificial nipples, pacifiers, and teethers) dip these into a 10% bleach solution before thoroughly rinsing. Wear rubber gloves for this.

Disinfect daily any item that comes in contact with mom’s breasts, baby’s bottom or mouth. This includes breast shells, breast pads, bras, spit-up rags, pump parts, artificial nipples, pacifiers, teethers, toothbrushes, toys, clothing, underwear and cloth diapers.

Towels and washcloths can harbor yeast so they should be used once and then washed in very hot water and sun-dried.

If needed, use disposable items such as paper towels, napkins, cups and plastic utensils for extreme family cases.

White vinegar added to baths or washing machines can help kill yeast.

As you can see, some of these measures are extremely inconvenient. Only do these if you have a very resistant case of thrush effecting you or baby.
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