How to treat thrush while breastfeeding. Thrush and breastfeeding: methods of treatment and prevention

Thrush is a common problem during breastfeeding.

Vaginal candidiasis is a dangerous disease caused by yeast-like microorganisms when certain factors are exposed to the body. This disease affects about 75% of breastfeeding women, it is associated with hormonal changes and reduced immunity. How to treat thrush while breastfeeding? Is it possible to cure vaginal candidiasis on my own?

Thrush during lactation may be a consequence of ineffective treatment during pregnancy

Vaginal candidiasis occurs with active growth in the microflora of the vagina of such conditionally pathogenic microorganisms as a fungus of the genus Candida. Active reproduction of the fungus occurs in women during lactation. What is it connected with? First of all, with the fact that in the body of women during breastfeeding, a restructuring occurs. This is the reason for the decrease in protective functions and the development of pathogenic microflora. Natural forces cannot cope with the reproduction of yeast-like microorganisms, so there is a need for medical correction.

Most often, thrush develops during pregnancy. Insufficiently effective treatment or the transition of the disease to a chronic form of the course leads to the fact that vaginal candidiasis returns during lactation.

How does thrush manifest itself

Before treating thrush for a nursing mother, it is necessary to visit a doctor who will collect an anamnesis of the disease and prescribe a number of necessary tests. With GV, vaginal candidiasis manifests itself in the same way as in other cases: during pregnancy, when using antibiotics, etc.

During lactation, thrush is accompanied by the following symptoms:

Be mindful of your health while breastfeeding

• Hyperemia. Swelling and characteristic redness appear on the mucous membranes of the external genital organs and the vagina. You can notice this sign of the disease yourself, or the doctor will do it during a gynecological examination.
• Discomfort. Severe burning and unbearable itching are the main companions of vaginal candidiasis. The bright course of this disease is observed in the acute period. With the chronicization of the infectious process, the symptoms are smoothed out and aggravated no more than 4-5 times a year. Itching and burning increase during sexual intercourse and when urinating.
• Allocations. Creamy or cheesy white discharge may appear from the genitals. They tend to have an unpleasant odor reminiscent of spoiled fermented milk products.

According to most specialists from the field of obstetrics and gynecology, vaginal candidiasis recurs during breastfeeding. Even if a woman believes that she is completely healthy, this does not mean that she cannot get thrush. A small amount of fungal microflora is found in the body of every person, without exception.

The impact of special favorable factors leads to the fact that there is a rapid growth of pathogenic microflora, which, due to a decrease in the body's defenses, suppresses beneficial lactic acid bacteria. This leads to the appearance of symptoms of thrush and reduces the standard of living of a woman.

Whether it is necessary to carry out treatment?

Thrush from mom can be passed on to baby

Is it necessary to treat a nursing mother with the appearance of vaginal candidiasis? It is not worth neglecting the health of a woman, despite the fact that after the appearance of a small child in the family there is not enough time for oneself. We are all adults and must understand that any infectious disease can be transmitted to a child. Due to the fact that there is daily bodily contact between a nursing mother and a child, the baby is at high risk of contracting thrush.

The imbalance of microflora in the mother's body leads to the development of a similar problem in the child. Please note that in infants, thrush appears first of all on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity. The child refuses the breast, as he experiences pain when sucking. If the child is not treated on time, the disease progresses and requires the patient to be admitted to a hospital.

But how can you treat thrush during breastfeeding, if all the pills you drink pass into breast milk and can harm the baby? With this question, it is recommended to go to an obstetrician-gynecologist who will diagnose and prescribe effective treatment with drugs intended for local use.

Safe drug therapy

Treat under medical supervision

While breastfeeding, medication should be taken very carefully. Uncontrolled intake of drugs is unacceptable. This can provoke the development of allergic reactions in the child. Complications such as indigestion and poisoning are not excluded. Among the more dangerous pathologies, developmental delay can be distinguished.

What can be used to fight vaginal candidiasis while breastfeeding? Among the most effective and safe drugs, vaginal suppositories and special ointments can be distinguished. Please note that it is necessary to use only those drugs that are not absorbed into the bloodstream, and therefore are not dangerous for the child.

Treatment for thrush will be most effective in the initial stages of the development of an infectious disease. In advanced cases, it is more difficult to cope with the vaginal form of candidiasis with the help of local remedies. In this case, it is recommended to stop feeding the child and conduct drug therapy for thrush using systemic drugs with high antifungal activity.

Even if the feeding of the child is interrupted or stopped, you should not independently draw a conclusion and prescribe the first drug that comes across to yourself. Only the attending physician can prescribe an effective and safe drug that will eliminate the cause of development and symptoms of thrush in 3-10 days, depending on the stage of the disease.

Tablets from thrush during lactation

Take your pills during your pregnancy with extreme caution

In the practice of obstetrician-gynecologists, it is not customary to prescribe antifungal drugs in tablets and capsules to women during lactation. This is due to the fact that such medications are highly toxic and can cause irreparable harm to the child.

Drug systemic therapy is prescribed to lactating women only in special cases. For these purposes, sparing drugs are used that are compatible with lactation:

• "Diflucan".
• Miconazole.
• "Fluconazole".

The basis of these drugs includes such an active substance as fluconazole. In international medical reference books, this substance is included in the list of acceptable during breastfeeding. The instructions for use, as a rule, indicate that lactation is an absolute contraindication. This is necessary to prevent uncontrolled therapy and avoid harm to infants. The dosage during lactation should be prescribed by a specialist, which prevents the development of adverse reactions.

Vaginal suppositories for candidiasis during lactation

As a traditional remedy for breastfeeding for the treatment of thrush, candles are used, which are designed to be placed in the vagina.

Candles from thrush are safe to use during lactation

The most effective and safe drugs for breastfeeding:

• "Hexicon".
• "Pimafucin".
• "Gino-Pevaril".

Despite the fact that local treatment is not dangerous for the child, you should not self-medicate. The dosage must be calculated by the doctor. Drug therapy should be carried out completely. It is not recommended to stop treatment when the symptoms of vaginal candidiasis disappear.

Drug therapy using vaginal suppositories lasts for 7-10 days. To increase the effectiveness of treatment, it is recommended to observe measures to prevent the progression and recurrence of the disease.

Alternative therapy

Green tea removes yeast-like microorganisms

How to treat thrush during lactation, if the use of medications is contraindicated? Experts advise resorting to the use of traditional methods of treatment. They have a gentle effect on the body of a woman and do not require the cessation of breastfeeding.

The most effective folk remedies for treating thrush are:

1. Washing with a solution of chamomile. Method of preparation: for 250 ml of water, take 2 tsp. dry medicinal plant, bring to a boil and insist for 2-3 hours. The procedure can be carried out 3 to 5 times a day.
2. Using a baking soda solution. Method of preparation: for 200 ml of warm water, take 1 tsp. soda. 2-3 drops of iodine can be added to the solution. The procedure is carried out in order to reduce acidity in the mucous membranes of the genital organs.
3. Green tea. It is recommended to drink at least 3-4 cups of natural green tea daily. This product removes yeast-like microorganisms from the body.

Please note that alternative medicine is effective only at the initial stage of development of thrush. If we are talking about advanced vaginal candidiasis, then folk methods will not have the desired effect. As a rule, this approach to treatment is used to increase the effectiveness of ongoing drug therapy.

In order to prevent the appearance of thrush during breastfeeding or stop the progression of an infectious disease, the following recommendations should be followed:

Use vegetables and fruits in the diet to prevent thrush

• Healthy food. The diet should be low-carbohydrate: sweets and pastries should be excluded from the diet. It is recommended to add meat, fruits, vegetables and dairy products to the daily menu.
• Observe personal hygiene. Should be washed in the morning, evening and after a bowel movement using special products for intimate hygiene. In no case should you use soap, especially household soap! A large amount of alkali leads to the inhibition of useful lactic acid microflora, which is fraught with the progression of thrush.
• Wear the right underwear. Synthetics are a favorable environment for the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms. Excellent conditions for yeast-like fungus is a humid environment and the absence of oxygen.

Thrush during lactation is a serious problem that every 4 women face. Despite the prevalence of this disease, problems can be avoided. Follow preventive advice. If, nevertheless, the primary symptoms of vaginal candidiasis appear, then do not delay a visit to the doctor. In the early stages, thrush can be cured in 3 days and you can forget about this disease forever. In advanced cases, there are risks of candidiasis becoming chronic, which requires long-term systemic therapy.

Thrush is called one of the most difficult complications of the postpartum period. During this period, it can cause not only inconvenience, but also become a serious obstacle to the full organization of lactation. Thrush during breastfeeding is dangerous not only for the newly-made mother, but also for her child.

Manifestations of the disease after childbirth

A fungal infection during this period can affect not only the woman in labor, but also the baby. In all cases, it has quite characteristic features.

Female candidiasis after childbirth

Thrush, which accompanies the onset of breastfeeding, delivers a lot of discomfort. In this case, both traditional and specific symptoms are manifested.

General symptoms indicate the presence of fungal vulvovaginitis. In this case, they appear:

• Itching of the vulva and vagina
• Burning mucous
• Puffiness, swelling
• Redness, rashes
• Sufficiently abundant cheesy discharge from the vagina.

In addition to the usual manifestations, there are also new ones that are characteristic only of breastfeeding.. Among them:

• The nipples turn bright red, which may be accompanied by white scaly coating and dry skin
• Feeding is associated with burning, shooting pain sensations.
• Increased pain at the end of feeding
• Nipple sensitivity is at its peak so every touch hurts
• Itching in the affected area.

Unfortunately, these symptoms are often attributed not to thrush, but to stagnation of milk, forcing a woman to express milk. This process brings a lot of suffering. When the feeding process ends, the pain passing from the nipple into the chest increases. As a result, some women do not endure and refuse breastfeeding altogether.

Even contact with clothes causes pain, cracks gradually form on the nipples, which heal for a very long time, even in cases where the newborn correctly takes the breast. Against this background, the volume of milk produced decreases.

Other diseases can be confused with thrush during breastfeeding. There are several main reasons for such manifestations. Among them:

• Eczema
• Herpes
• Improper breastfeeding by the baby.

Thrush in babies

The disease causes a lot of discomfort to the child, so you should try to detect it as early as possible. Attention should be drawn to such manifestations:

• White plaque in the crumbs in the oral cavity
• Redness in places under plaque
• Restless behavior of the baby during feeding, he may refuse to breastfeed, cry, turn away (this is not always the case, many children take food as usual)
• Under the diaper, a rash appears that looks like small pimples (if you try to eliminate them with the help of cosmetics for baby skin care, the situation only gets worse, since the fungi feed on starch and oils).

Causes of thrush while breastfeeding

As in other periods, the disease in mothers develops in the presence of favorable conditions for the fungal pathogen. Provoke the growth of candida can:

• Antibiotic therapy
• Taking hormonal drugs (including for carrying the fetus and normalizing the hormonal balance during pregnancy)
• Low hemoglobin
• Diabetes
• severe stress
• Too early resumption of sexual activity
• Using too aggressive products for intimate hygiene
• Chronic diseases of the genital organs and intestines
• Stagnation of blood in the pelvis, caused by a sedentary lifestyle.

Childbirth is, of course, a natural process, but for many women it becomes very stressful, leading to a significant weakening of protective mechanisms. The recovery period is quite long: immunity will return when the child begins to fully receive complementary foods, and there will be less milk. In the postpartum period, the hormonal background also changes greatly. Therefore, the previously harmless opportunistic flora begins to develop intensively, and the result of this is the appearance of thrush during breastfeeding.

By the way, candidiasis sometimes appears directly at the time of childbirth, if surgical interventions are performed or bleeding occurs, and the immune system is simultaneously in a weakened state.

Ways to deal with thrush while breastfeeding

When a woman is breastfeeding, therapy comes down to two main areas:

• The use of agents that help destroy the fungus
• Creation of an alkaline environment in the places of localization of the pathogen in order to suppress its further growth.

A particular problem during breastfeeding is the prescription of medications. It is quite difficult to choose them correctly, since many drugs for the treatment of thrush are contraindicated during lactation. This is due to the toxic effects that threaten the newborn. The active ingredients of most drugs instantly penetrate in large quantities into milk. This is due to the fact that they try not to prescribe oral drugs to nursing (although their use is possible in the most severe cases).

Even the use of local drugs for treatment in a number of situations can be dangerous for the baby, so only a limited list of drugs is used to counteract candida.

So, when breastfeeding, thrush is not treated with those local remedies that are developed on the basis of antibiotics. The fact is that both suppositories and vaginal tablets can significantly reduce the level of lactobacilli in the microflora.

Treatment should not be stopped immediately after the symptoms disappear. Many mothers do just that, justifying such actions with the desire to harm the baby as little as possible with medicines. In fact, the thrush in such cases always returns with renewed vigor. The full course of treatment lasts about 10-15 days.

Treatment of candidiasis in lactating folk methods

Due to the fact that the list of drugs that can help treat thrush during breastfeeding, doctors often recommend combining them with traditional medicine. Of course, you can use it only after consulting a gynecologist. It must be remembered that no herbs can completely replace medicines, they only play a supporting role.

The main means that can be used during lactation are:

• Water based baking soda solution

To prepare it, it is enough to dilute two teaspoons of soda in a half-liter container with warm boiled water. With this solution, you can rinse the genitals several times a day to relieve itching, inflammation and redness. Sometimes doctors also recommend soda douches so that an alkaline environment is also created inside the vagina. When alkali predominates, it inhibits the reproduction of the fungus.

• Camomile tea

It is prepared in a similar way, only they do not take warm water, but boiling water, insisting the herbs for at least 30 minutes. For use, the infusion is slightly warmed up and used not only for washing and douching, but also for baths, lotions and compresses in the genital area.

• Tea tree oil

This remedy should be used with caution, not only when thrush accompanies breastfeeding, but also in other periods. Many women have individual sensitivity towards him. The oil is used for sitz baths, adding no more than 1-2 drops.

• Green tea

Drinking plenty of this drink will help the body get rid of excess yeast in the body.

Thrush on the nipples: treatment

In order to get rid of, there are few traditional measures. Additional control measures are needed, including:

• Breast pads need to be changed before every feeding.
• Before applying the baby to the breast, the nipples are cooled with lotions
• When feeding is finished, leave the breast open (air baths should last about 10-15 minutes)
• After that, wash the nipples with soda solution and let them dry completely, and then grease with a nourishing cream
• You can use a special medical solution Hexoral, which is intended for children (they can wash the nipples every two hours, then lubricating with creams such as Rescuer or Purelan)
• If the damage to the nipples is very strong, then 2-3 times during the day they are prescribed to apply synthomycin emulsion or antifungal creams (Nizoral, Clotrimazole), which must be washed off very carefully before each feeding of the baby.

In cases where breastfeeding causes severe pain, a woman is advised to reduce the duration of each feeding (while increasing the frequency of applying the baby to the breast).

If the pain becomes unbearable, then the nipples are treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, and then milk is expressed and the baby is fed from a sterile bottle. Treatment of the infection should be carried out as soon as possible, otherwise there is a risk of blockage of the milk ducts and the development of mastitis.

Treatment of thrush during breastfeeding will not be effective if the newborn is not treated at the same time as the mother. A pediatrician can help you deal with it.

How can you help your child cope with an infection?

Independently, without the participation of a pediatrician, it is impossible to treat a child. The risk of infection spreading to other organs and systems is too great. Thrush can cause a child's low weight and developmental delay. In addition, you need to pay attention to some details:

• Milk residues must be removed after feeding (the baby may be prescribed a solution of candida or nystatin drops, in which you can moisten a finger wrapped in clean gauze and wipe the oral cavity for at least 10 days)
• Things that come into contact with the child's mouth must be boiled or sterilized for at least 20 minutes
• When a baby has thrush even under a diaper, a visit to a dermatologist is mandatory so that he advises an ointment (perhaps he will prescribe the same ointment for him as for the mother’s nipples)
• Do not use wet wipes until the infection is eradicated to avoid excess moisture, with which candida multiply more actively.

How to prevent the disease from developing: prevention

Young mothers should strive to protect themselves and the baby from thrush, not only during breastfeeding, but also in the future. Various measures will help prevent the disease, both in a woman and in a child.

Prevention for mothers

There are several rules that you need to adopt in order to protect yourself from candidiasis:

• Linen must be made from natural fabrics (cotton-based)
• The use of specially designed products for intimate hygiene that do not violate the natural composition of the vaginal microflora
• You can not swim in ponds with questionable purity
• Limit the use of all kinds of sweets and pastries
• Change your panty liners as often as possible
• Avoid tampons, pads, and scented toilet paper.

Preventive measures for children

Of course, the main preventive measure for the baby is the absence of thrush in the mother and other family members. The cells of the fungus retain their vital activity outside the human body for some time, therefore they can enter the body in a domestic way. Once in the territory of weak infantile mucous membranes with zero flora, they quickly become active and become the cause of thrush. Therefore, you need to monitor the cleanliness of the objects surrounding the child. Toys, pacifiers, bottles and other items should be boiled regularly.

We hope that our publication answered your questions. If you need additional advice, write to a specialist on our website. He will promptly advise you on thrush during breastfeeding in women and babies. Get a qualified answer to solve the problem quickly and easily.

There are certain signs of vaginal thrush, some of which a woman feels, and some can only be determined by a doctor.

Signs of vaginal thrush:

Additionally during examination, the gynecologist can detect redness of the vagina.

An appropriate analysis can confirm the diagnosis: the doctor takes a smear to determine candidiasis. The results of the study are provided fairly quickly.

We offer you to watch a video about what thrush is and what are the symptoms of this disease:

Causes

The main reason for the appearance of the disease is considered a beneficial environment for the reproduction of bacteria. Several factors contribute to the creation of an unfavorable environment in the vagina:

1. Decreased immunity.
2. Taking antibacterial drugs.
3. Hormonal disruptions.
4. Constant use of hygienic disposable pads.
5. Failure to comply with hygiene rules.

The emotional state of the mother can also affect the occurrence of thrush: frequent stress, lack of sleep and fatigue can be one of the reasons for the reproduction of fungal bacteria or a factor that aggravates the process.

Some doctors believe that some women are more prone to the appearance of thrush, and therefore relapses in some occur more often, while others do not occur.

Can I continue to breastfeed while I'm sick?

With vaginal thrush, doctors do not recommend stopping breastfeeding for the reason that the child could also already be infected, and even infect the mother. From the mother's body, along with milk, the baby receives antibodies, and therefore will not need additional treatment - it is enough that the mother's body provides him.

Modern methods of treatment will get rid of the problem without harm to the child., and the quality of milk, as well as its quantity, will not change.

Treatment

How to be treated for thrush if breastfeeding?

The doctor prescribes the correct treatment for each case; it is categorically not recommended to drink pills and put candles on your own.

Treatment with vaginal suppositories and creams against thrush is recommended for nursing mothers, and tablets for breastfeeding are usually not prescribed, as they have some side effects, in particular, they are highly toxic.

In some cases, doctors may prescribe Diflucan, Fluconazole, or Miconazole tablets. The use of tablets does not require stopping feeding or changing its regimen..

• Hexicon.
• Pimafucin.
• Terzhinan.
• Nanofoam.

The use of suppositories is recommended to continue for the period prescribed by the doctor and not to stop treatment after the signs of thrush disappear. Most often, the duration of treatment is 7-10 days., but can be changed depending on the course of the disease and the type of active substance.

- a disease caused by the fungus Candida. In small quantities, it is in the body of every person, and in suitable conditions it begins to actively develop. Among the main provoking factors:

• hormonal changes;
• stress;
• weakening of the immune system;
• the use of antibacterial agents;
• chronic pathologies of the genital organs;
• poor hygiene.

Identification of candidiasis does not mean at all that you need to stop breastfeeding your baby. But if the infection passes to the nipples, it is better to transfer the baby to mixtures, since the disease can be transmitted along with breast milk.

Reasons for the development of thrush

You can recognize thrush in a nursing mother by a number of characteristic symptoms:

• burning and itching in the intimate area;
• pain when urinating;
• white curdled discharge with a pungent odor;
• the formation of bubbles on the chest;
• redness, swelling and itching of the nipples;
• acute pain during feeding;
• reduction in milk volume.

If you notice unpleasant symptoms, you should immediately go to the doctor. He will conduct the necessary examinations and prescribe treatment.

If you suspect candidiasis, you need to make sure that the nursing mother really develops thrush.

The thing is that the symptoms of some are very similar to it. An accurate diagnosis can only be determined by the results of laboratory tests.

Treatment of thrush during lactation is associated with certain difficulties. Antibacterial agents that effectively kill the fungus are forbidden for a woman to take, since they can enter the baby's body with breast milk. Therefore, therapy involves the use of local antifungal drugs and diet. The right diet normalizes the microflora of the body, increases the number of beneficial bifidobacteria and creates unfavorable conditions for the reproduction of fungi. It is recommended for a nursing mother to consume sour-milk products, to give up sugar, flour and products containing a lot of starch.

Medications

Any drug must be prescribed by a doctor. Almost always, their active substances enter the bloodstream and breast milk, which is dangerous for the health of the child. Among the possible consequences are poisoning, allergies, digestive disorders, developmental delay. In addition, certain products change the composition and reduce the amount of milk produced.

The most effective drugs for thrush that occurs during breastfeeding are suppositories and ointments. The most popular are Pimafucin, Clotrimazole and Terzhinan. At the first stage, ointments effectively cope with the fungus. They can also be used to treat nipples, but before feeding the baby, you should thoroughly rinse them.

One of the best remedies for a nursing mother - Pimafucin

If the infection has already spread, treatment is carried out with suppositories. One of the best remedies for a nursing mother is Pimafucin. Its composition does not affect the beneficial microflora and the quality of milk. In this case, the drug quickly kills the fungus and strengthens the immune system. It is undesirable to take Terzhinan during lactation - it suppresses the natural microflora and requires a long course of treatment. The drug is presented in the form of tablets that are moistened in water and injected into the vagina at night. has many side effects, so it is rarely prescribed. Popular suppositories used for thrush during lactation are shown in the table:

Folk remedies

In addition to candles, when feeding, you can use a variety of alternative medicine recipes that help get rid of thrush. But it is better to talk to a doctor first, as plants and herbs can harm the child. And some of them negatively affect milk production. Among the most common means are:

1. Baking soda - dissolve in warm water and rub the affected areas several times a day. Soda perfectly relieves itching and reduces redness. When processing the nipples, you need to wait for them to dry completely, then lubricate with a nourishing cream.
2. Infusion of chamomile - pour dry flowers with warm water, leave for thirty minutes and strain. Wash the desired areas with a ready-made product.
3. Tea Tree Oil – Add a couple of drops to your bath. It eliminates pain and other manifestations of thrush, but can cause allergies.
4. Green tea - drink throughout the day. The drink removes excess yeast from the body and relieves pain, and also increases lactation.

Tea tree oil relieves pain and other symptoms of thrush

If thrush is not treated, it can develop into a more serious disease - mastitis. Therefore, do not postpone a visit to the doctor.

Treatment of thrush on the nipples

If candidiasis manifests itself in the mammary glands, additional therapeutic measures will be required. They involve following simple rules:

1. Change disposable breast pads before breastfeeding.
2. Painful nipples are recommended to be cooled with lotions.
3. After each feeding, arrange air baths for ten to fifteen minutes.
4. Treat the affected areas with a soda solution, then lubricate with a nourishing cream.
5. With severe inflammation, antifungal creams or synthomycin emulsion can be used, but they must be thoroughly washed off before feeding.

If feeding the baby is unbearable, you can reduce the duration of the baby's meal

If feeding the baby is unbearable, you can reduce the duration of the baby's meal, but at the same time increase the frequency. With severe pain, it is necessary to treat the nipples with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, express the milk into a sterile bottle and feed the baby from it.

Treatment of candidiasis on the nipples will not bring a positive result if the child is not treated in parallel. To do this, you will have to go to the pediatrician. In addition, all the means used by the nursing mother must be coordinated with him, since it is very important not to harm the newborn.

In order not to face an unpleasant disease during lactation and to fully enjoy motherhood, it is enough to follow simple recommendations:

1. Monitor breast hygiene - it should be washed with warm water twice a day. Only liquid neutral soap and wipes are allowed.
2. Wear the right underwear - the bra should be made of breathable fabrics, it is better that it does not have seams and bones. He shouldn't rub his nipples.
3. Use special pads to absorb excess liquid. They need to be changed as needed. So you can ensure the cleanliness of the breast and protection against infections.
4. Refuse to swim in suspicious water bodies.
5. Do not drink antibiotics and other medicines unless absolutely necessary.
6. Reduce the amount of sugary foods in your diet.
7. Do not use hormonal contraceptives.
8. Observe the hygiene of the genitals.
9. Avoid bubble baths – only regular and scented soaps will do.
10. Monitor the condition of the nipples - if cracks appear, apply specialized ointments or vegetable oils.

Compliance with these rules significantly reduces the risk of developing thrush during lactation. In addition, they will help prevent the development of other, no less serious diseases.

Prevention of thrush in a child

If the crumbs have painful manifestations, the pediatrician will prescribe him specialized ointments - they treat the affected inguinal region. When a mother is diagnosed with candidiasis, but the child has no signs of it, preventive measures must be observed:

• to remove the remaining milk from the mouth of the newborn after feeding;
• boil all items that may be in the baby's mouth;
• Avoid baby wipes.

To remove milk from the baby's mouth, you need to wrap your finger with gauze and soak it in a soda solution. The procedures are carried out until the mother fully recovers. Things must be boiled for at least twenty minutes daily. Wet wipes can trigger the spread of fungus, as after using them, moisture remains on the skin. Therefore, it is better to refuse them.

Treatment of candidiasis in a nursing mother is effective in the early stages of the disease. With the help of the right suppositories and ointments used for hv from thrush, you can quickly remove all unpleasant symptoms. If no action is taken, the disease will turn into a chronic form, which often causes serious complications.

Every woman is familiar with the disease of the genital organs with thrush. This disease, called candidiasis in official medicine, is associated with the growth of Candida milk fungus. Often, thrush occurs in lactating women, because during this period the female body is weakened and vulnerable. Treatment of thrush during breastfeeding should be done carefully, because not all medications can be taken during this period.

Causes of thrush

Vaginal candidiasis occurs for the following reasons:

• Undertreatment of the disease before childbirth;
• Hormonal imbalance during pregnancy and after the birth of a child;
• The resumption of intimate life happened too soon;
• Stress received by the body during the bearing and birth of a child;
• Use of inappropriate or low-quality intimate hygiene products;
• Poor quality synthetic underwear;
• Taking antibiotics;
• Inactivity and stagnation of blood in the pelvic organs;
• Other diseases of the intestinal and reproductive systems.

The most common cause is a weakening of the body and a decrease in its protective functions after childbirth. The body is unable to resist infections, so they multiply rapidly, in particular, milk fungus. Often, thrush develops in the prenatal and birth period as a result of contractions, bleeding, and surgical interventions.

Features of the course of the disease

The danger of thrush in a nursing mother lies in the risk of transmitting the infection to the child. You should contact your gynecologist if you experience the following symptoms:

1. Feeling of itching and burning in the genitals;
2. Allocations, similar to a curdled mass, having a sour smell;
3. Cracks and bloody discharge on the nipples.

Sometimes a white coating also appears on the nipples, which become pink in case of illness. They become vulnerable and react with pain even to contact with clothing. In this case, the disease will be transmitted to the baby in a short time. The child has a white coating on the tongue, gums, inner sides of the cheeks. It is easy to recognize thrush, as the plaque has the form of rounded spots with a reddish border.

A small red or pink rash may also appear in the groin area. But this does not mean that you need to stop breastfeeding, as there are drugs for thrush that are suitable for women during this period. To prevent the penetration of the fungus from the nipples into the child's mouth, you need to follow hygiene rules - treat the nipples before feeding, and after - the inside of the baby's mouth with a soda solution. Proper attachment to the breast will help relieve pain from the contact of the child with the breast. It is necessary that the child takes not only the nipple into his mouth, but captures it along with the halo.

Please note that many diseases of the reproductive system have similar symptoms. In order to carry out treatment and prescribe medications for thrush, you need to undergo an examination and pass the appropriate tests.

Examination for the presence of the fungus Candida

To identify, diagnose and subsequently treat the disease, there are the following research methods:

• Gynecological examination of the external genital organs;
• Internal examination of the genital organs;
• The study of the microflora of a smear taken from the vagina;
• Bacteriological culture of vaginal discharge.

It is the results of the examination of secretions and smears that determine the type and amount of fungi are decisive. It helps to know how to carry out the treatment.

Treatment of candidiasis during lactation

Features of the treatment of thrush in a nursing woman are that the choice of drugs is limited. Some drugs have the ability to penetrate into mother's milk, and with it into the body of the baby. In the treatment of vaginal candidiasis, oral and topical methods are used. Oral, that is, taking pills orally, during lactation is prescribed in extreme cases, advanced forms of thrush.

The best option when choosing treatment methods are ointments, gels and suppositories.

Treatment with candles and ointments is local method of treatment, which is prescribed in most cases of the disease. Usually the course is 7-10 days. When using them, side effects may appear in the form of itching and burning in the genitals. The general condition may worsen. Relief comes already on the second day, the main thing is to wait out the unpleasant period.

Pifamucin

This is the most common drug that can be used to treat thrush while breastfeeding. Available in the form of suppositories, tablets and ointments. The effectiveness of the medicine is visible already on the second day, but for preventive purposes, candles are used for a week. Under the influence of high body temperature, it quickly dissolves, forming a foamy consistency, due to which it is evenly distributed over the places affected by the fungus. Side effects are observed only in the form of mild itching, nausea and vomiting. The only contraindication to the use is the individual intolerance of the nursing woman to the drug.

An antifungal suppository that has a powerful effect on the infected microflora of the vagina. Terzhinan also has antiseptic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. The course of treatment is usually prescribed for a week, with the recurrence of signs, it is extended. Side effects are extremely rare, it can be itching and burning in the vaginal area. Of the contraindications, there can only be a tendency to allergic reactions and intolerance to antibiotics. According to the reviews of patients and doctors, Terzhinan is an effective safe drug.

A drug intended for the treatment of thrush of women during breastfeeding is available in three forms: suppositories, tablets and cream. This medicine differs in a significant difference in cost compared to similar medicines. When used, Clotrimazole destroys not only milk fungi, but also other pathogenic infections.

Primafungin

The drug dissolves and is distributed throughout the vaginal mucosa without being absorbed. Due to this property, Primafungin is approved for use by pregnant and lactating women. It has a quick effect, 4-6 days are enough for treatment. Also, the remedy is prescribed for prophylactic purposes to prevent thrush in cases of operable delivery. Side effects are the same as in the case of similar antifungal drugs - itching, burning in the vagina, nausea, weakness. The use of Primafungin is contraindicated only in cases of the patient's exposure to allergies.

It's a cure for thrush Recommended for use by lactating women, it contains active biological substances that contribute to the restoration of the vaginal microflora. In particular, chlorhexidine bigluconate has an antimicrobial property. The drug is absolutely safe for the health of the baby, which allows it to be successfully used in the treatment of candidiasis. Of the side effects, only sensations of itching and burning of the vaginal mucosa are observed, and of the contraindications - individual intolerance.

Natamycin

The drug for thrush with HB, produced in the form of tablets, ointments and suppositories. It is an analogue of Primafungin and Pimafucin, has the same pharmacological properties, indications for use, contraindications and side effects. This universal remedy is effective in the treatment of candidiasis of any nature: vaginal or skin. Easily dissolves in the acidic environment of the vagina, but does not absorb into the skin.

Creams and ointments for thrush on the nipples

Candidiasis on the nipples causes discomfort and pain, which makes it difficult to breastfeed. To get rid of white plaque, cracks and pain, creams and ointments that have an antifungal effect are prescribed. The course of treatment lasts an average of two weeks until the symptoms of thrush completely disappear. The ointment is applied up to 8 times a day after each application of the child to the breast. Before feeding, the nipples should be thoroughly rinsed and wiped. Popular and effective means:

1. Synthomycin emulsion.

Creamy preparations are quickly absorbed into the skin, from which the therapeutic effect occurs quickly. If within two days there is no improvement, then it is necessary to change the drug. With advanced forms of candidiasis, when the fungus affects the milk ducts, oral antifungal drugs are prescribed, with complications, antibiotics, for example, Flucostat.

Folk remedies against thrush

If the thrush has only the initial stage, you can do without drugs. Candidiasis can also be treated with folk methods, as prescribed by a gynecologist.

Chamomile, calendula and yarrow

2 teaspoons of dried flowers insist half an hour in 0.5 liters of boiling water. Before using the infusion, warm it up and rinse the genitals and nipples with warm water. Also, the infusion is used for douching, lotions or baths.

Apple vinegar

Dilute two tablespoons of liquid in a liter of water. This solution should be douched three times a day.

Combine pharmacy fees like this, to make a teaspoon. Pour the mixture with a glass of boiling water and keep it on fire for about 15 minutes. Douche with a solution twice a day, make lotions. You can take orally half a glass before meals three times a day.

Elecampane, nettle or burdock

A tablespoon of dry collection is poured with boiling water and boiled for another 15 minutes. After cooling and filtering. The decoction is used for douching, lotions, baths and ingestion of 150 ml. three times a day.

Be careful when using herbal preparations, as some of them may cause allergies in you or your child. After treating the nipples with such means, it is imperative to rinse the breasts with clean water and wipe thoroughly.

Tea tree oil

A warm bath to which you need to add two or three drops of flavored oil can relieve inflammation and relieve itching and burning.

A houseplant is effective in the treatment of thrush. To do this, a cotton swab is moistened in it and placed in the vagina.

Glycerin and borax

Two products in equal parts are mixed, a tampon is moistened in the resulting mixture and placed in the vagina for three hours.

Garlic

Two cloves of garlic must be crushed until a gruel is obtained and pour a liter of boiled cool water. Douche with liquid in the morning and evening for 10 days in a row.

Iodine and soda

Add a teaspoon of iodine and baking soda to a liter of boiled water. Douche with the resulting solution or make lotions out of it.

Prevention of thrush in a nursing woman

Since the likelihood of candidiasis during the lactation period is high, it is worth taking care of its prevention. An unfavorable environment for the Candida fungus is an alkaline environment, which is created using soda. Dissolve a tablespoon of baking soda in a liter of warm water. With this solution, you need to treat the nipples daily, douche or wash the genitals.

Affects the state of the microflora of the vagina and the nutrition of the mother. The food that a nursing woman consumes should be natural, healthy, balanced. It is necessary to reduce the amount of carbohydrates, fats and sugar. Vegetables, fruits and berries rich in fiber are useful for a woman. To create a normal microflora of the vagina, you need to eat fermented milk products daily. Green tea will prevent the formation of yeast if you drink it every day.

During the period of treatment, a woman needs to stop eating cheese, kefir and yeast products, especially buns.

In order to get rid of the disease once and for all, a man must undergo a course of treatment along with a woman, otherwise they can transmit the infection one by one to each other.

Compliance with elementary hygiene rules will prevent the creation of a fermented milk environment in the genitals.

You can avoid the occurrence of thrush by following the recommendations:

• Rinse the nipples daily with a solution of soda, potassium permanganate or a decoction of chamomile;
• After feeding, ventilate the chest for 10 minutes without putting on a bra;
• You need to wash yourself using a weak solution of potassium permanganate or furacilin, decoctions of medicinal herbs;
• No need to use pads, tampons and sanitary napkins with a pronounced aroma;

Observing these preventive rules every day, you can not think about how to treat thrush and other diseases during breastfeeding.