Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply Thrush???

Have you ever had it and what did you do to treat it? I have it on my one nipple. My doctor told me to use an over the counter anti fungal. I have been using Lotrimin AF since Wednesday and have been applying it several times a day. It's still there. Plus both of my nipples, and just the nipples not the areolas, hurt really bad. Is this normal? I have been pumping for almost three weeks now. It's really uncomfortable at times but I don't want to give up.

I never dealt with it, but I would check a bf website like kellymom.com for suggestions.
Jennifer

As an IBCLC, we have found starting with gentian violet is your best course of treatment. Thrush is often a cause of nipple pain but you also need to check and make sure the pump flanges are the right size for you. You nipple should not be rubbing along the inside of the plastic flange during pumping. Be sure to check after about 10min of pumping as the nipple can swell and cause pain as the pumping session goes on. Also, you can use olive or coconut oil to lubricate your breasts and nipples to prevent any chaffing while pumping. Here's the link for info on gentian violet: http://www.breastfeedinginc.ca/content.php?pagename=doc-UGV

I had it too... just on my nipples. My lacation consulant told me to use antifungal cream (used for athletes foot or jock itch). I also got a prescription from the doctor (Nystatin). It took a while to clear up completely.

It may be common sense... BUT sterilize your pump every day, wash your bras & night shirts with HOT water & bleach and dry on hot to kill the yeast on your clothing. Don't wear the same bra/night shirt more then once in a row without washing.

You may want to rinse your nipples with a vinegar and water solution (1 tablespoon vinegar to 1 cup water) after pumping/feeding. Use a fresh cotton ball for each application and mix a new solution every day. Let your nipples air dry after.

Don't worry it will clear up.

Randnmom,
I was just reading some of Dr Jack Newman's information journals and found he wrote on Thrush. Here is a link to the letter on his cure.

http://www.asklenore.info/breastfeeding/grapefruit_seed.shtml

Hope this helps.

Thank you for all the helpful responses! I did the Lotrimin AF for about two weeks and it seems to have cleared it up nicely. I will keep all of these suggestions in mind if it should happen again although I hope that it does not!