How to treat thrush during lactation. Treatment and prevention of vaginal thrush during lactation

Thrush is a disease that causes an excessive amount of Candida albicans in the body.

In the microflora of a healthy person, everyone has these yeast fungi, and coexist with beneficial bacteria without causing discomfort. When favorable conditions arise for them, the fungi begin to actively multiply, causing burning, itching and other symptoms.

The main causes of candidiasis:

• changes in hormonal levels and a decrease in the body's defenses (often causesthrush while breastfeedingand pregnancy)
• long-term use of antibiotics;
• vitamin deficiency;
• neglect of hygiene standards;
• hypothermia, stressful situation;
• wearing synthetic underwear.

Often, breastfeeding mothers are diagnosed with vaginal candidiasis and thrush on the nipples. Symptoms will be as follows:

1. Burning and itching in the genital area and nipples.
2. Cheesy vaginal discharge, white discharge from the chest against the background of bright red nipples.
3. Feeding brings acute pain, spasms.

Treatment of thrush while breastfeeding

The doctor can choosemedicine for thrushafter a thorough examination, assessment of the woman's condition and an accurate diagnosis. Therapy may include oral tablets or means for local application (ointments, suppositories).

Self-medication is unacceptable, it is fraught with complications for mother and baby. It is important to take into account that any candles can cause side reactions in the form of itching and burning, but after 2 days such symptoms disappear. If the local remedy copes well with the task, already on the 2nd day you can notice an improvement in the condition.

If vaginal tablets are prescribed, they should not be drunk. Such tablet placed in the vagina, pre-soaked in water. The following are the popular remedies that are prescribed during time breastfeeding.

Natamycin (pimafucin) is a popular remedy for thrush. The drug is produced in the form of tablets, suppositories, creams. With thrush in the vagina is prescribed treatment candles, the course is up to 6 days. The medicine is an antibiotic that has an antifungal effect. It is highly effective against candidiasis, the drug is safe during pregnancy and lactation.

Sertaconazole is the active ingredient in a cream and suppositories called zalain. The drug is not absorbed into the blood, acts only on the lesion and does not pass into breast milk. For treatment, a single injection of a suppository into the vagina is sufficient. As for the question of whether to interrupt feeding during treatment for a fungus, this should be clarified with your doctor.

Ketoconazole is the active ingredient in livarol suppositories. The substance is able to penetrate into the blood in minimal quantities, so it is prescribed to nursing mothers with caution.

Clotrimazole is a common medicine that is also prescribed to nursing mothers. Children with thrush in the mouth are prescribed a candida solution based on clotrimazole. The previously popular remedy nystatin is not prescribed, considering it obsolete.

Polygynax and terzhinan are combined preparations. They are often prescribed at a time when the results of the tests have not come, and you need to start treatment urgently. The composition of such funds contains several antibacterial substances from the fungus and inflammation. It should be borne in mind that combined preparations for nursing mothers are prescribed with caution. The expediency of their use will be established by the doctor. After treatment, it is necessary to normalize the microflora of the vagina.

Can fluconazole be taken with HB?

When choosing,how to treat thrush while breastfeeding, drugsare prescribed by a doctor, based on the severity of the course of the disease, concomitant diseases, and the general health of the mother.

Sometimes a local effect on the fungus is not enough to recover. Then the doctor may recommend oral medication. Fluconazole is often prescribed for a fungus, it penetrates into all liquids - plasma and milk, etc.

Treatment with the drug is effective, but women are worried about the health of the child. The instructions for preparations based on fluconazole indicate that nursing mothers are not recommended to take them.

According to the electronic reference book E-lactancia, a single dose of the pill will not harm the baby. Only a doctor can prescribe treatment. Perhaps he will advise you to interrupt breastfeeding for the duration of treatment.

Preparations for thrush from traditional medicine

Considering that traditional medicine preparations are prohibited for pregnant and lactating mothers, you can try the effectiveness of traditional medicine recipes. Only they are not as safe as it might seem, so you can use them only after consulting a doctor and under his control.

It is important to consider that some plants can reduce lactation, while others can cause individual intolerance in a mother or child. Below are the tools that have gained popularity among women.

Baking soda is a well-known product that is in every home and is often used for thrush. For treatment, you will need to dissolve 2 tsp. soda in 0.5 liters of boiled water. With a solution of room temperature, you can wipe the areas of the body affected by the fungus. This will help relieve itching, remove redness and inflammation. If the nipples are being processed, you need to let them dry completely in the fresh air, and then lubricate with a special cream or ointment.

A decoction of chamomile is prescribed for washing the affected areas several times during the day. You need to take 2 tsp. pharmaceutical chamomile, place in a bowl and pour 0.5 liters of boiling water. The container is closed with a lid, the broth is insisted for half an hour, after which it is filtered, cooled and used.

Tea tree oil and green tea can have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the whole organism. It is enough to add a couple of drops of oil to a bath with warm water and lie down in it for a while to relieve pain and other unpleasant symptoms of thrush. As for green tea, it removes yeast from the body, increases lactation, relieves discomfort and is an antiseptic.

Hexoral children's gargle is used to wipe the nipples every 2 hours. After that, a healing ointment is applied. If the nipples are severely inflamed, it is recommended to apply clotrimazole cream. Before feeding the baby, the breast must be rinsed from medicinal preparations and wiped with a soda solution.

Prevention of thrush during breastfeeding

Despite the fact that the disease occurs during breastfeeding and mothers consider it inevitable, it is possible to prevent thrush. To do this, it is recommended to follow simple preventive measures:

• Stick to a low carb diet. Baking in large quantities and sugar in any form contribute to the creation of favorable conditions for the development of candidiasis. It is necessary to reduce the amount of harmful products by eating fruits and berries instead.
• Balance your diet. The menu of a nursing mother should have enough nutrients. It is important to have meat, greens, fresh vegetables and dairy products.
• Observe hygiene. Washing with ordinary soap or scented cosmetics is not worth it, they disrupt the acid-base balance of the vaginal microflora. You need to choose products with a neutral PH level, or use baby, tar soap.
• Choose natural clothes. Synthetics create a "greenhouse" effect on the skin, the same applies to tight-fitting clothing. It is necessary to stop the choice on loose clothing, natural materials. This is especially true for underwear.
• Women's sanitary napkins and special breast pads need to be changed frequently to prevent contamination and bacteria build-up.

With frequent recurrences of thrush, you need to consult a doctor who will prescribe a set of measures aimed at reducing the number of Candida fungus and restoring normal microflora.

It is good to treat thrush with HB if you start taking drugs for the fungus in time. If you start the disease, it will turn into a chronic pathology, it will affect the functioning of organs and systems.

In the gestational and lactation periods, the woman's body is most vulnerable to the pathogenic action of pathogenic microflora due to a decrease in the immune status. It was at this time that a considerable number of representatives of the beautiful half of humanity are faced with an unpleasant disease, referred to in everyday life as "thrush". The situation is aggravated by the lack of the possibility of a full-fledged therapy, including the use of potent drugs that can have a negative impact on the formation and growth of the fetus.

Treatment of thrush during lactation is based on the use of medicines and traditional medicine, which have a mild effect and do not contain harmful components. How to get rid of thrush during lactation and not harm the baby? Let's consider this question in more detail.

Characteristics and features of the disease

Candidiasis or thrush in lactating women is more common than uncommon. And to explain this trend is quite simple - often the disease develops against the background of weakened immunity and hormonal changes that occur in the female body during gestation. Due to the fact that taking medications that have a therapeutic effect is not recommended, thrush during lactation becomes chronic and enters an acute phase after childbirth.

The symptoms of thrush in a nursing mother are somewhat different than in a pregnant woman. Among the classic signs, expressed in the appearance of itching, burning, unpleasant odor and cheesy discharge, pain and discomfort in the chest, milk stagnation, whitish plaque and severe burning in the nipple area, deterioration in general well-being join.

When breastfeeding, there is a high risk of infection with the fungus of the baby. The symptoms of the disease in a child manifest themselves in a slightly different way: a whitish coating appears on the mucous tissues of the oral cavity, rashes and redness in the groin and genitals. In addition, the baby experiences pain when sucking, and therefore there is a possibility of the baby rejecting the breast.

Important! For the effective treatment of thrush during breastfeeding and the prevention of possible complications, it is mandatory to conduct therapy not only for the mother, but also for the child.

Complications and risks

Getting rid of thrush during lactation is somewhat more difficult than after stopping breastfeeding, which is due to the ban on taking effective medications. Nevertheless, it is categorically not recommended to neglect the treatment, because the lack of timely measures taken can result in serious consequences, including:

• When a fungus appears in the baby's oral cavity, there is a risk of damage to the pathogenic microflora of the respiratory system, esophagus, tonsils.
• Over time, the fungus captures more and more extensive surfaces of the skin.
• There is a risk of infection of the internal genital organs, which can lead to the development of cumulative diseases of inflammatory pathogenesis.
• There is a high probability of painful cracks in the nipples.

A common complication of candidiasis during lactation is also a violation of the outflow of breast milk, which can lead to its stagnation and the development of inflammatory processes. It is important to start adequate therapy in a timely manner, which will help to significantly reduce the risk of possible complications of the disease.

Treatment

The treatment process for thrush during breastfeeding is significantly complicated due to the fact that during this period it is permissible to use a limited amount of medicines. It is predominantly practiced to use external agents that have antibacterial properties and help to eliminate the main symptoms, such as burning, itching, violation of the integrity of the skin.

In addition, complex therapy includes measures aimed at restoring the natural microflora of the genital organs and the skin of the chest. The combined combination of these methods helps not only to get rid of the existing disease, but also significantly reduce the risk of possible relapses.

Creams, solutions, ointments

To eliminate the symptoms and external manifestations of the disease, it is recommended to use drugs for thrush during breastfeeding for external use. Their regular use contributes to the inhibition of pathogenic microflora, the relief of inflammatory processes, the elimination of burning, discomfort and itching. Authorized drugs include:

• Nystatin ointment.
• Hexoral.
• Candide.

To stimulate the healing processes and restore the natural microflora, it is recommended to use Lactobacterin, presented in powder form. Regular application of applications with this medication in the treatment of thrush during lactation allows you to quickly restore damaged skin of the breast and nipples.

suppositories

The most popular and frequently used remedy for thrush in HSV is vaginal antibacterial suppositories. The medicinal properties of these drugs are to provide a local antiseptic effect. The penetration of the active components of suppositories into the systemic circulation is excluded, and therefore they can be safely used to eliminate thrush when feeding newborns or infants. During lactation, it is recommended to use the following drugs:

• Clotrimazole. One of the most effective when breastfeeding, with a wide spectrum of action. Helps to provide antifungal and healing effects. It should be used for five to seven days. The scheme and duration of the treatment course is developed on an individual basis.
• Terzhinan. An effective combined remedy for the treatment of thrush in nursing mothers. It has antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects. Despite its powerful properties, it does not violate the natural microflora of internal organs.
• Hexicon. An effective drug that contributes to the provision of local antiseptic and antifungal action. In the process of treatment, it quickly eliminates the symptoms of thrush during hv, expressed in the form of itching and burning, and also normalizes the microflora.
• Pimafucin. Belongs to the category of antibiotic antimicrobial agents. The use to eliminate the signs and symptoms of thrush in case of HS is allowed due to the provision of local action, as well as the exclusion of the penetration of active components into the composition of breast milk.
• Diflucan. Fluconazole-based suppositories for the treatment of thrush during lactation. They have highly effective antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is recommended to use only in accordance with the regimen recommended by the doctor, since uncontrolled treatment can lead to a violation of the microflora and the development of complications.

To prevent complications, it is recommended to use the following remedy for thrush during breastfeeding - Bifidumbacterin. It contributes to the restoration of microflora and the elimination of disturbing symptoms. To achieve a therapeutic effect, suppositories should be used once a day. It is advisable to carry out the procedure before going to bed.

Important! Before treating thrush for HS, you should consult with your doctor. The use of self-selected drugs can harm the body of both the mother and the child.

Tablets

It is not recommended to be treated with oral medications, as the components contained in them penetrate into breast milk. The exception is tablets from thrush during breastfeeding Terzhinan, intended for external use and local action.

With extensive lesions of the body and the spread of the fungus to the internal organs, effective therapy involves the use of antibiotics. However, during the period of taking funds in this category, natural feeding should be stopped.

Diet

An effective treatment for thrush in a nursing woman includes the obligatory observance of a balanced diet. During this period, it is recommended to limit the number of dishes and products in the diet, which include baker's yeast and sugar, including pastries, sweet dishes, confectionery, white and black bread.

For breastfeeding, fresh fermented milk products should be consumed daily, including kefir, fermented baked milk, yogurt, hard cheeses, and cottage cheese. To saturate the body with important vitamins and microelements, it is recommended to include fresh vegetables, berries, fruits, greens in the diet.

Lifestyle

In addition to traditional methods of treating candidiasis, nursing mothers are advised to make some adjustments to their usual lifestyle that will help eliminate the manifestations of candidiasis and reduce the likelihood of developing the disease in the future. In addition to drugs, it is necessary to indirectly treat thrush during breastfeeding as follows:

• In order to minimize the likelihood of infection in the baby, you should thoroughly wash your hands with antibacterial agents after each use of medicines and going to the toilet.
• It is important to keep your underwear clean at all times. For this, it is recommended, for example, to use sanitary napkins.
• Can you breastfeed with thrush? Undoubtedly. But the process of feeding a child - a baby with thrush is often complicated by the fact that when the mucous membranes of the oral cavity become infected, the baby refuses to take the breast. In order to avoid congestion and the development of inflammatory processes, it is recommended to express milk and regularly massage the breast with soft movements.
• When the infection spreads to the skin of the chest, it is recommended to take air baths regularly.
• You should wear underwear made exclusively from natural materials. It should be changed at least once a day.
• The skin of the chest and external genitalia should be kept clean. For this, it is important not only to perform water procedures daily, but also to take a hygienic shower after each trip to the toilet.

It is possible to cure thrush during breastfeeding only if all the norms and rules of personal hygiene are observed. Ignoring the above rules can lead to the spread of fungus and aggravation of inflammatory processes.

Folk methods

Thinking about how and how to treat thrush for a nursing mother during breastfeeding, you should also pay attention to the advice and means of alternative medicine. The use of home-made medicines in combination with traditional remedies will help to quickly eliminate the symptoms of an unpleasant disease and restore the damaged microflora of internal organs.

Among the effective and safe methods of this kind are:

• Herbal decoction. Thrush during breastfeeding provokes the development of inflammatory processes that affect the mucous tissues of the internal and external genital organs. To eliminate them, it is recommended to use decoctions of chamomile, calendula, St. John's wort. Preparing a remedy is quite simple: you need to brew a tablespoon of the selected raw material with half a liter of boiling water and hold for two hours. during breastfeeding, it is recommended by treating the affected areas with the resulting infusion.
• A solution of baking soda. An alkaline solution also contributes to the suppression of pathogenic microflora and the elimination of symptoms of the disease, for the preparation of which it is enough to dissolve two tablespoons of ordinary soda in a liter of warm water. Treat the affected areas with the finished liquid, as well as use water for douching procedures.

Effective treatment of thrush in breastfeeding women also includes the use of drugs that increase immune strength and overall body resistance. Drinks such as green tea, a decoction of hawthorn, wild rose, homemade blackcurrant compote can be used for this purpose. Provided there is no individual intolerance, they can be consumed in any quantity.

Preventive measures

In order not to look for answers to such an urgent question as: how to treat thrush in a nursing mother, it is recommended to pay attention in a timely manner to timely measures for the prevention of candidiasis. To prevent the uncontrolled growth of colonies of pathogenic microorganisms, the basic rules of personal hygiene should be observed first of all.

To increase immune strength, it is necessary to eat fully and varied, including in the usual diet a sufficient amount of foods enriched with important vitamins and microelements. It is important to wear only high-quality underwear made from natural materials, suitable in size.

And finally, the basic rule is to follow the recommendations that the attending physician will prescribe on how to treat thrush during lactation. Failure to follow the recommended rules can lead to the adoption of a chronic form of the disease and the development of complications. In such situations, the use of potent drugs is required, the intake of which must be carried out only against the background of the termination of HB and feeding the child with artificial mixtures, which, as you know, is not preferable.

Candidiasis is one of the most common diseases during pregnancy and lactation. The fungus Candida provokes the appearance of thrush, which begins to actively multiply under the influence of certain factors. The presence of this type of fungus in the body of a healthy person is the norm. As long as there are not a lot of them, they are not dangerous.

If thrush appears during lactation, it is necessary to undergo treatment so as not to start the development of the disease when fungi begin to spread throughout the body.

Even when carrying a child, mommy's hormonal background changes, so 80% of women at least once during pregnancy experienced discomfort caused by candidiasis. In the postpartum period, constant fatigue, lack of sleep, anxiety are added, which causes the appearance of thrush in a nursing woman.

In addition to these factors, there are such causes of the onset of the disease:

• severe stress (including during childbirth);
• hormonal imbalance;
• decrease in the protective functions of the body;
• avitaminosis;
• taking antibacterial medicines and antibiotic therapy;
• non-observance of basic rules of personal hygiene or frequent use of products for the care of intimate areas;
• gynecological diseases of a chronic nature;
• bowel disease;
• "Sedentary" lifestyle, which leads to congestion in the pelvic area;
• resumption of sexual activity earlier than the period indicated by the doctor;
• diabetes;
• taking hormonal drugs before pregnancy and during the period of bearing a child.

If we take into account the fact that the female body is weakened after the birth of a child, thrush during lactation is a fairly common phenomenon.

The main symptoms of candidiasis during breastfeeding

In most cases, during lactation, women experience thrush of the vagina and breast.

Symptoms of vaginal thrush:

• sharply appearing itching and burning in the vagina, causing discomfort to the woman;
• redness of the mucous membrane of the vagina;
• cheesy discharge with a characteristic sour smell, which leads to increased irritation in the genital area;
• pain during urination and during sexual intercourse.

Signs of candidiasis of the breast:

• swelling and burning in the nipples;
• severe sharp pain in the mammary gland during the application of the baby, which stops only after the completion of feeding;
• redness of the nipples;
• the formation of vesicles in places affected by the fungus.

If a woman, by the presence of the main symptoms, realized that thrush had begun, she should immediately contact her doctor so as not to transmit the infection to the baby and undergo the necessary therapy.

Treatment of thrush while breastfeeding

If a gynecologist has diagnosed thrush in a breastfeeding woman, therapy will include prescribing antifungal drugs and actions aimed at restoring the alkaline environment to prevent further spread of Candida. Means against thrush can be in the form of vaginal suppositories, ointments for external use, tablets for internal use. To avoid negative effects on newborns who receive all substances from the mother through breast milk, it is necessary to stop taking medications that are contraindicated during breastfeeding.

Most often, vaginal suppositories are used, which have a local effect. They cannot affect the condition and health of the child, since their active substances enter the bloodstream and breast milk in a minimal amount. Despite this, not all suppositories are allowed while breastfeeding. It is not recommended to treat thrush during lactation with Diflucan and Clotrimazole.

Vaginal tablets and suppositories for thrush during lactation

Which candles are best suited for the treatment of thrush in nursing, only a doctor can determine. At the initial stage of the development of the disease, the gynecologist may suggest the use of a special ointment, which also helps very well with breast candidiasis. The choice of drugs also depends on the individual characteristics of the woman's body, while taking into account the presence of a possible sensitivity and allergic reaction to the components of the drug.

To date, pharmaceutical companies produce various drugs that are allowed during lactation. This list of drugs includes Zalain, Pimafucin, Lomexin, Nystatin, Livarol, etc.

Any of the remedies presented must be used with extreme caution so as not to harm the child. Most often, gynecologists prescribe Pimafucin, which is practically harmless, unlike other drugs. At the same time, the remedy perfectly fights the fungus, restores immunity, has an anti-inflammatory effect and does not violate the microflora of the vagina.

Also, during the period of breastfeeding, the antibacterial and antifungal agent Terzhinan is prescribed. The drug is produced in the form of vaginal tablets, which should be moistened with water before being inserted into the vagina. Not all doctors have the same opinion regarding this medicine, since Terzhinan suppresses the natural microflora. In this case, the treatment should last about two weeks, which is a rather long period during lactation.

After the treatment, it is necessary to pass a smear, with which you can confirm the positive results of therapy. Such an analysis should be repeated again after a month.

Tablets for internal use

If treatment with vaginal suppositories has not yielded results, a specialist may prescribe oral tablets based on fluconazole. In this case, the mother is recommended to give up breastfeeding for the duration of treatment and switch to artificial nutrition for a short period.

Preparations Diflucan, Mikomax, Flukonaz, Difluzol, Futsis penetrate well into the bloodstream, which makes it possible to effectively fight fungi that cause thrush.

Treatment of breast candidiasis

How to effectively treat thrush on the nipples depends on the severity of the main symptoms. Doctors advise to follow the basic recommendations to help relieve discomfort and pain in the nipple area:

In this case, you should be careful when using drugs with active substances so as not to harm the newborn. Together with the treatment of the mother, it is imperative to treat the child, strictly following the recommendations of the pediatrician.

In case of severe pain during application, the baby should be fed from a pre-sterilized bottle. Before decanting, the nipples must be treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

When breastfeeding, thrush requires mandatory treatment, since its absence can lead to blockage of the milk ducts and the development of mastitis in the future.

The use of folk remedies for the treatment of thrush

Taking into account the fact that there are not so many approved medications for the treatment of candidiasis during lactation, quite often nursing mothers resort to the use of folk remedies. In this case, before starting treatment, a woman must definitely seek qualified medical help from the attending gynecologist.

From thrush during breastfeeding, such traditional medicine recipes help:

1. Soda solution. For ½ liter of boiled water take 2 tsp. baking soda. The resulting solution rinses the genitals and treats the nipples several times throughout the day. You can also douche to create an alkaline environment in the vagina and prevent the active reproduction of fungi.
2. A decoction of chamomile flowers. The remedy is prepared in this way: 2 tsp. dry flowers are poured with half a liter of boiling water, after which the agent is infused for at least half an hour, then filtered. Use a decoction for rinsing, douching or baths.
3. Essential oil of tea tree. In this case, thrush is treated with a bath with the addition of 1-2 drops of this essential oil.

Drinking a large amount of green tea helps a lot, which removes excess yeast from the body, and also improves lactation.

Using folk remedies, it should be remembered that some medicinal plants can affect the amount of milk produced by the body and its composition. In addition, it is necessary to start therapy gradually, given the appearance of a possible allergic reaction to certain essential oils and herbal components of the folk remedies used.

Treatment of thrush with folk remedies relieves only the main symptoms of the disease, but does not help cure candidiasis, since it does not prevent further active reproduction of yeast fungi. Based on this, complex therapy is often prescribed, including treatment with folk remedies and the use of drugs.

With this combination, you should remember the precautions: for example, you can not douche with a decoction of chamomile or string after inserting a suppository into the vagina, as the product will wash out and will not bring the desired results.

Only a gynecologist can decide what is more correct and safer to treat thrush for a nursing mother, based on the general state of health of the patient, sensitivity to the substances of a particular medication, the possible effect of the drug on the composition of breast milk and, accordingly, on the health of the child.

Additional recommendations regarding the correct treatment of candidiasis

To successfully treat thrush, it is important to create an alkaline environment in which yeast cannot spread. To do this, use boiled water with the addition of baking soda. When using this remedy, you should not abuse it so that when douching, you do not wash out beneficial bacteria along with fungi and do not disturb the microflora of the vagina.

Also, treatment in most cases is prescribed immediately to both partners, in case of resumption of sexual activity. Most often, a man is prescribed Fluconazole (once) and an ointment for topical use.

Preventive measures for thrush in a nursing mother

In order to avoid the appearance of thrush during lactation, you must follow simple recommendations:

• remember the rules of intimate hygiene;
• carefully approach the choice of skin care products, refuse to use bath foam, scented soaps, etc .;
• monitor the cleanliness of the mammary glands;
• reduce the consumption of sweets, which is a favorable environment for the development of candidiasis;
• organize good nutrition: food must necessarily include meat and dairy products, vegetables and herbs;
• do not swim in polluted waters;
• refuse hormonal contraceptives;
• take antibiotics with caution, only in cases of urgent need;
• choose the right underwear, which should not be too tight and made of natural material;
• use special pads during breastfeeding, which should be changed every time after they have absorbed excess moisture;
• in case of cracks, smear the nipples with special creams or ointments so as not to aggravate the condition of the mammary gland.

These rules will help not only protect yourself from candidiasis, but also protect against the occurrence of various other diseases.

Thrush during lactation responds well to treatment at an early stage of development. If measures are not taken in time, the disease can turn into chronic candidal colpitis, which is characterized by frequent relapses.

Attentive attitude to your body and timely treatment of candidiasis will help get rid of the disease in a short period of time, even during breastfeeding. At the same time, it is very important for a nursing mother to try to establish the correct daily routine, regularly and fully rest and systematically get enough sleep.

But is it possible to breastfeed during the treatment of thrush, depends on what medications will be used. Thanks to the development of the modern pharmaceutical industry, the gynecologist can successfully select topical medications that are compatible with lactation.

Related video

Treating thrush while breastfeeding is not an easy task. The fact is that this disease is usually caused by abnormal activity of the fungus-saprophyte Candida. Every person has it in small amounts. In the mind of most women, candidiasis is associated with an increase in the number of fungi in the vagina, but in fact, the fungus is found in other places, including the intestines, mouth, and even the folds of the skin. It begins to multiply only if there are favorable factors, and nursing mothers have all the prerequisites for this.

Reasons for the development of thrush in nursing mothers

Thrush during lactation develops for several reasons. You need to understand them in order to understand how to treat thrush. Candidiasis during pregnancy develops due to hormonal imbalance. Usually in such cases, its vaginal form occurs. It manifests itself mainly during pregnancy. But about 30% of women encounter it during lactation. Hormones may be the reason for this. However, in this case, not only vaginal candidiasis develops, but also thrush on the chest.

Breastfeeding becomes possible due to the high content of the hormone prolactin. Its high concentration is reached immediately after childbirth, and within a few months it suppresses ovarian function. During this period, estrogens and gestagens are produced in smaller quantities, and this causes a hormonal imbalance, which causes thrush.

During lactation, immunity is further reduced. This contributes to the development of candidiasis. But there are other risk factors as well. These include:

• chronic diseases of the intestines, endocrine system (including diabetes mellitus);
• anemia;
• the presence of an inflammatory process in the vagina;
• cracks in the nipples;
• malnutrition, lack of vitamins and minerals.

It happens that contraceptive pills also become the cause, if they were not chosen correctly, and because of them, a strong shift in the hormonal balance occurs in the body towards gestagens. The result is still a thrush in a nursing mother.

Signs of candidiasis while breastfeeding

Typical symptoms of vaginal candidiasis are well known to any woman - these are white discharge of a curdled consistency, itching and burning that occur on the genitals in the evening. Sometimes pain and burning can be felt when urinating.

At the same time, breast thrush occurs during breastfeeding. It is accompanied by a number of symptoms:

In this case, thrush of the nipples can be combined with vaginal candidiasis. If any of the described symptoms appear, you need to make sure that the baby is not infected. In a child, candidiasis can manifest itself in the fact that a white curdled plaque appears, and if it is removed, then a reddened mucous membrane will be visible under it. Sucking can be uncomfortable for the baby. Sometimes the baby even refuses to breastfeed.

Only a doctor can make such a diagnosis as thrush during breastfeeding.

Moreover, smears are taken and laboratory tests are carried out to determine the type of fungus and check which antifungal agents it is sensitive to and which it shows resistance (resistance). Only after that you can pick up candles from thrush during lactation.

Treatment of thrush with HB is associated with compliance with certain rules. There is no need to stop breastfeeding.

If the pain does not allow you to feed in the usual way, you need to express milk and supplement the baby from a special bottle or cup.

At the same time, special attention should be paid to compliance with hygiene requirements. Washing hands after every visit to the toilet or changing a diaper, hygiene procedures before each feeding - all this must be done without fail.

It is necessary to treat thrush during breastfeeding with medications. But at the same time, it is important to reconsider the diet of a woman. Nursing mothers already have to sit on a fairly strict diet, refusing sweets and pastries. But it is worth giving up fruits. But green tea can and should be drunk, it will help to quickly remove any toxins from the body.

It is recommended to include fermented milk products in the diet. Women often have the belief that dairy products promote the growth of fungi, but this is not the case. On the contrary, these products are responsible for the appearance of beneficial microflora - bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, which protect the body from thrush.

In some cases, they even prescribe special drugs that allow you to quickly populate the body with these bacteria. It is necessary to ensure that the nursing mother receives enough vitamins and minerals.

Medical treatment of candidiasis

It is very important to choose the right drugs for thrush during breastfeeding. Such funds must meet several basic requirements:

• high efficiency against pathogenic microflora;
• low toxicity not only for the mother, but also for the baby;
• good tolerance;
• low frequency of development of resistance in fungi of this family.

Treatment of thrush during breastfeeding should be comprehensive, that is, it is aimed at eliminating fungi, and at increasing immunity, and at populating the body with beneficial microflora.

Today there is a large selection of drugs - these are suppositories (suppositories), tablets, and ointments for topical use. However, choosing them is not so easy, since Candida is resistant to many drugs. Before any treatment, laboratory tests are first carried out and resistance is checked.

With the vaginal form of candidiasis, drugs such as Clotrimazole, or their analogues in suppositories, are most often used. All of them are allowed while breastfeeding. But Candide is prescribed with caution, if there is no other way out. Any medicine without a doctor's prescription is not used.

Do not forget about less toxic, but at the same time very effective vaginal antiseptics, which are sold without a prescription, and you can use them even before a visit to the doctor (just not before the consultation or tests itself, so as not to blur the picture). They are usually prescribed as an aid. But without them, treatment will not be effective.

With lactation, the best option is a solution intended for topical use. Douching is carried out 2 times a day for 2 weeks. You can also use Sangviritrin, he even has a shorter course of treatment - only 5 days with two irrigations per day. It is impossible to use such antiseptics too often, otherwise it will cause dysbacteriosis, against which the thrush will develop more often and more actively.

In addition, immunomodulators are important in complex therapy, for example,. In this case, it is used in the form of vaginal tablets. This drug is produced in different forms, for kids these are candles. Viferon is taken as prescribed by a doctor. There are immunomodulator sprays (). Means of this type are needed so that the body can more effectively resist infection.

This is especially important in cases where a woman developed candidiasis during pregnancy and could not be cured, and after childbirth there is a risk that it will become chronic.

Treatment of thrush on the nipples

To get rid of thrush on the chest, doctors advise using local antimycotic agents, since they are less toxic to the mother and child. Traditional medicine recommends treating the nipples with a solution of baking soda, then washing them properly with boiled water, drying the skin and smearing it with a nourishing cream. But soda has a too weak antimycotic effect.

Doctors advise washing the nipples with Hexoral. This antifungal agent is also used in the treatment. The procedure is repeated every 2 hours. Then the nipples are lubricated not with a nourishing cream, but with a Rescuer, since it also has an antibacterial effect.

With severe inflammation of the nipples, you need to use syntomycin emulsion. Antimycotic ointments have proven themselves well: Clotrimazole, Nizoral and others. But only after checking the resistance and strictly according to the doctor's prescription. Before feeding, the nipples and the skin around them must be washed very thoroughly so that these ointments do not harm. Sometimes it is advised to handle weak nipples. In any case, all these medicines will be effective only if the baby is treated at the same time. Otherwise, the measures taken will not give any result at all.

It is important to observe the following hygiene rules:

How to treat a baby? In order not to progress candidiasis in a child, you need to take care of the hygiene of his oral cavity. After each feeding, it is worth removing milk residues from the mucous membranes. This can be done with a piece of gauze soaked in a solution of soda and nystatin drops. You need to wrap gauze around your finger and gently wipe your mouth. Repeat this procedure while mom is undergoing treatment. It takes about 10 days.

Soothers, spoons, any objects that can get into the baby's mouth should be boiled. But the use of wet sanitary napkins will have to be abandoned, since in this situation the additional moisture contributes to the reproduction of the fungus.

Content

Thrush is the most common inflammatory disease of the female genital organs. First of all, this is due to the mechanism of its occurrence. The risk of thrush is significantly increased with menopause, pregnancy and breastfeeding. The special physiological state of a woman on breastfeeding requires a more careful selection of medications.

Thrush and GV

Most nursing mothers are faced with the development of thrush or candidiasis. Thrush during breastfeeding has its own characteristics. Candidiasis can affect not only the vaginal mucosa and urogenital area, but also the nipples. Many breastfeeding mothers continue to endure significant discomfort and pain. Nevertheless, modern gynecology has many effective drugs that are considered safe for HB and can be used as a treatment.

Thrush is a fungal infection of the vaginal mucosa and nipple area. Candidiasis is also called thrush due to the characteristic plaque and cheesy secretions of the affected areas of the mucous membrane and skin.

Thrush affects women of absolutely any age: the disease occurs in newborn girls and in older women. In fact, candidiasis or thrush is detected in 50% of women with complaints of discharge. Most often, thrush occurs in pregnant women, as well as in nursing mothers.

Thrush is caused by Candida fungi, which are opportunistic microflora. In addition to fungi, other representatives of opportunistic microflora in women may be present on the skin and mucous membranes in small quantities, including during breastfeeding:

• staphylococci;
• streptococci;
• mycoplasmas;
• gardnerella.

With intensive reproduction of these microorganisms, the development of an inflammatory process is possible. In addition, Candida fungi can enter into microbial associations.

The growth in the number of opportunistic microorganisms is restrained by the protective mechanisms that are represented by the vaginal mucosa. It is known that the mucosa is susceptible to the effects of sex hormones, which is characterized by cyclical inconstancy.

The dominant position in the composition of the vaginal microflora is occupied by lactic acid bacteria. The number of cells of the surface layer changes under the influence of sex hormones. Glycogen is formed on the surface of the mucosa, when it is broken down by lactobacilli, lactic acid is formed. The reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms is restrained due to the optimal acidity, which is maintained by lactic acid.

Lactic acid bacteria, uniting in colonies, together with the products of their vital activity, participate in the formation of glycocalyx. This is a thin protective biofilm that does not allow the infection to penetrate into the thickness of the vaginal epithelium.

With a decrease in the number of lactobacilli, the acidity also changes. This leads to increased reproduction of opportunistic flora, as pathogens find themselves in favorable conditions for them. Healthy microflora is gradually forced out, an inflammatory process develops.

With a normally functioning immune system, if changes in the microenvironment are not very pronounced, thrush does not develop. For the appearance of inflammation, concomitant diseases of the gynecological and extragenital plan are required.

In pregnant women and nursing mothers, thrush occurs due to hormonal changes, structural changes in the mucosa. As a rule, a decrease in immunity is observed during the first few months with HB, which also contributes to the development of thrush.

Thrush is not a purely female pathology. However, in men, it has more serious causes of appearance. In both men and women, the main cause of thrush is the use of antibacterial drugs. Thrush is an independent pathology. However, the disease can be sexually transmitted.

The acute form of candidiasis occurs with severe symptoms. Due to the availability of numerous effective antifungal drugs, many women are engaged in self-selection of medicines. It must be remembered that only a doctor can prescribe an adequate drug, especially for a woman who is breastfeeding. Self-medication of women with breastfeeding is very dangerous and can cause complications.

Possible Complications

The body of a nursing mother is weakened by stress, a significant load and a lack of vitamins. That is why breastfeeding women often develop thrush.

Thrush affects both the vaginal mucosa and nipples in women with HB. The inflammatory process may appear due to non-compliance with the rules of hygiene, the presence of cracks and abrasions in the nipple area.

It is known that thrush of the nipples in nursing mothers is an unpleasant and dangerous phenomenon, since this form of fungal infection can infect a child. It is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner, undergo an examination in order to prescribe adequate treatment.

Cessation of feeding

Many nursing mothers are interested in the answer to the question of whether to stop breastfeeding with thrush. As a rule, in the treatment of thrush of the vaginal mucosa in women, vaginal suppositories are prescribed for HS, which practically do not have a systemic effect.

When it comes to thrush of the nipples, the doctor also recommends drugs that are compatible with breastfeeding. That is why thrush and its treatment are not a reason to stop breastfeeding. Moreover, a fungal infection develops as a result of excessive reproduction of a representative of conditionally pathogenic microflora, which is normally present on the skin and mucous membranes.

Causes and symptoms in nursing mothers

The only cause of thrush is considered to be the overgrowth of the Candida fungus against the background of a decrease in immunity, which often occurs in nursing mothers. Gynecologists identify several causes of thrush during breastfeeding.

1. Poor hygiene of the genitals. In case of non-compliance with hygiene, the pathogen enters the vagina from the surrounding tissues, provoking an inflammatory process.
2. Douching and excessive hygiene of the external genitalia. When washing and douching, not only harmful, but also beneficial microorganisms are removed from the mucosa.
3. Epithelial injury. The mucosa can be injured during difficult childbirth, gynecological examination, and the installation of a spiral. Violation of the integrity of the tissue leads to a weakening of the defense mechanism.
4. inflammatory processes. Due to chronic inflammation, the vaginal tissue becomes loose and susceptible to Candida invasion.
5. Intestinal dysbacteriosis and bacterial vaginosis. With dysbiotic disorders, ideal conditions are created for the reproduction of fungal flora.
6. Long-term use of antibacterial agents. This is the main reason for the decrease in immunity and the development of thrush.
7. Hormonal reorganization. Hormonal fluctuations adversely affect the condition of the mucous membranes, which, combined with an immune imbalance, provokes candidiasis in nursing mothers.
8. Allergy. The use of unsuitable products containing aggressive ingredients can cause an allergic reaction and predispose women to thrush when breastfeeding.

Symptoms depend on the ability of the immune system to resist dysbiotic disorders. Fungal infection initially affects the surface layer. With the involvement of other opportunistic pathogens, gardnerellosis may develop. With a quantitative advantage of fungi, true candidiasis develops.

Candidiasis in nursing mothers can occur in the form of carriage. In this case, there are minor changes in the composition of the intimate microflora. The growth in the number of opportunistic pathogens is restrained by the immune factor. In the future, either recovery or deterioration may occur.

Acute thrush progresses within two months in breastfeeding women. If untreated, the disease turns into a chronic relapsing form. Gynecologists note that chronic thrush in nursing mothers is difficult to treat, especially in combination with immune imbalance. With a combined infection, the symptoms can be different. However, thrush is distinguished by several specific symptoms.

1. Itching and burning in the vagina. Discomfort intensifies at night, on contact with water and during intimacy.
2. Curd secretions. As a rule, the discharge has a characteristic sour smell and leaves yellow marks on the laundry.
3. Burning when urinating. In nursing mothers, this symptom appears when the infection spreads to the urethra.
4. Itching and burning of the nipples. These sensations arise due to the presence of microcracks on the nipples and proceed simultaneously with vaginal thrush.

The gynecologist may note a small itchy rash, mucosal hyperemia, white plaque. To confirm the diagnosis, a breastfeeding woman performs a smear on the flora. To accurately determine the causative agent of a fungal infection, it is necessary to pass a crop.

Methods of treatment

Incorrect or untimely treatment of thrush in nursing mothers leads to the transition of the disease to the chronic stage. In this case, discharge and itching in the remission stage may be absent.

Thrush during pregnancy is caused by physiological factors:

• the number of lactobacilli decreases;
• there is an excessive accumulation of glycogen in the vagina;
• progesterone levels rise sharply.

After childbirth during breastfeeding, these factors are gradually eliminated, however, the restoration of microflora takes some time. However, in some breastfeeding women, thrush is asymptomatic and goes away on its own.

Prescribe drugs for the treatment of nursing mothers should only be a doctor after the examination. This is because some drugs can pass into breast milk and cause side effects in the baby. Moreover, some drugs adversely affect the production of milk.

Candles

Usually, nursing mothers are prescribed suppositories to eliminate thrush. The advantage of suppositories is that they act in close proximity to the source of infection and are highly effective. Depending on the nature of the course of candidiasis, the gynecologist may prescribe various vaginal suppositories.

1. Clotrimazole. This is one of the most popular types of suppositories for eliminating fungal and streptococcal infections. Candles are often recommended as sanitation of the genital tract before childbirth. Candles Clotrimazole is actively prescribed in the second and third trimesters. During breastfeeding, suppositories are used with caution due to the lack of information about the effect on the child's body. The use of Clotrimazole suppositories is contraindicated in case of individual intolerance and during menstruation.
2. Pimafucin. Candles are not contraindicated in breastfeeding. This is due to the fact that Pimafucin suppositories do not adversely affect the children's body, do not contribute to the violation of microflora and do not affect the production of breast milk.
3. Terzhinan. These are suppositories of complex action that can suppress the normal microflora of the vagina. For nursing mothers, these suppositories are prescribed with caution.

When breastfeeding, the doctor may prescribe the following suppositories:

• Zalain;
• Livarol;
• Nystatin.

Creams, ointments and solutions for douching

In addition to suppositories, gynecologists prescribe antifungal drugs to nursing mothers in the form of creams, ointments and solutions that are used for douching. In particular, you can eliminate thrush using the following creams and ointments:

• Nizoral;
• Nystatin;
• Clotrimazole.

Creams are contraindicated in case of individual intolerance, which is manifested by hyperemia and itching.

With thrush in women who are breastfeeding, douching with soda solutions is often recommended, since the fungi are sensitive to an alkaline environment.

To prepare the solution, use a teaspoon of soda, which is dissolved in a liter of pre-boiled and cooled water. The procedure is carried out twice a day. For the prevention of thrush of the nipples, rubbing with a soda solution of the nipples is used twice a day.

Tablets

Antifungal drugs in tablet form are often not prescribed to nursing mothers. This is due to their ability to have a systemic effect. Some drugs pass into breast milk and may harm a growing body. In this connection, specialists usually prescribe medications in the form of suppositories, ointments, creams.

Folk remedies

In the absence of contraindications, thrush of the vagina and nipples can be eliminated with the complex use of folk remedies and medications, such as suppositories.

Gynecologists prescribe the following folk remedies to eliminate candidiasis in women while breastfeeding.

1. Baking soda. A solution of soda eliminates redness and itching. Soda solution is used by nursing mothers for candidiasis of the vagina and nipples.
2. Chamomile infusion. Two teaspoons of dried flowers are infused in half a liter of boiling water. After cooling, the affected areas are washed with infusion.
3. Tea tree oil. Essential oil is added to the bath. This remedy should be used with caution due to the risk of allergic reactions.
4. Green tea. The drink relieves pain and removes excess yeast from the body. Of the pluses, one can also note an increase in the amount of breast milk in nursing mothers.
5. Hexoral. The solution is used to wash the nipples.

Elimination of thrush of the nipples

In order to eliminate the fungal infection of the nipples, you must follow certain rules.

1. Soreness is eliminated with cold compresses before breastfeeding.
2. Change disposable bra pads in a timely manner.
3. After and before feeding it is necessary to carry out air baths.
4. The affected areas are moistened with a soda solution, a children's solution for the throat "Geksoral", then lubricated with creams "Purelan", "Rescuer". With a pronounced fungal infection, it is possible to use Nizoral, Clotrimazole creams.

To reduce pain, it is necessary to check the correctness of the capture of the nipple by the child during breastfeeding.

Prevention for mother and child

Prevention of thrush during breastfeeding includes several basic rules. These rules should be followed to prevent the development of candidiasis in a nursing mother and child.

1. It is necessary to monitor hygiene during breastfeeding. In particular, breasts should be washed regularly with warm water and bra pads should be changed in a timely manner.
2. You should carefully approach the choice of underwear. Underwear should be made from natural fabrics. It is important to choose underwear according to size, as it should not rub the skin and cause discomfort.
3. In case of spontaneous secretion of breast milk, breast pads should be used, which should be changed in a timely manner.
4. Swimming in open water is not recommended.
5. Antibacterial drugs should be taken as prescribed by a doctor.
6. You need to follow a certain diet and not get carried away with confectionery.
7. Hormonal contraceptives are not recommended.
8. An important point is the observance of hygiene of the genital organs. It should be washed with special means that do not contain aggressive components.

It is necessary to contact a specialist in a timely manner at the first sign of thrush in a breastfeeding woman. Self-medication of a nursing mother can worsen the situation and harm the baby.