Thrush / Yeast

Submitted by Corrine on Sat, 09/06/2008 - 9:32pm

Here is my yeast treatment plan. See the end of this plan for links to the "experts" pages on Thrush / Yeast.

I consider the first three items (***) to be mandatory, the others are optional. All remedies listed are compatible.

***Gentian violet - ½% solution topically - 2x/day for 7 days***

Get a big spoon that you do not love, and a bottle of Gentian Violet, and a big new box of Q-Tips. If your bottle of GV is 1% solution, put 8 drops of GV and 8 drops of water in the spoon. If your bottle of GV is 2% solution, put 4 drops of GV and 12 drops of water in the spoon. You now have 16 drops of ½% GV solution in your spoon. Take a new Q-Tip and dip it in your diluted solution, and put it in your baby's mouth. Baby will suck or chew on it, which is okay, you want the solution to coat baby's mouth and throat. Throw that Q-Tip away, and get a new Q-Tip; coat with your GV solution, and paint your nipples. Throw that Q-Tip away. If your baby has a diaper rash apply the remaining diluted solution with clean Q-Tips to the affected area. If you have vaginal itching, apply the remaining diluted solution with clean Q-Tips to the affected area, or you may dip a small tampon in the diluted solution and insert for an hour. Repeat this process 2x/day for seven days. WARNING: GV will stain everything purple that it touches. No, really - it will stain everything purple.

***Distilled (white) Vinegar – Wash everything with vinegar***

1 or 2 cups of vinegar in every pan of dishes, dishwasher load of dishes, bucket of mop water, bucket of wash-suds, etc. 2-4 cups of vinegar in every load of laundry. Put a plastic sports-water-bottle of vinegar at every sink, bath, and shower, and have everyone in the household use some vinegar at every hand washing and every time anyone bathes or showers (EVERYONE - includes husbands, older children, room-mates and pets). Soak mother/baby related items in vinegar before washing, and wash them more frequently; these items include teething toys, pump parts, baby feeding items, anything that goes in baby’s mouth, bras, and bra pads. Squeeze some of the solution from the baby wipes and replace that fluid with vinegar. Continue with vinegar washes for 7 - 10 days or ongoing. WARNING: Take care to not get vinegar near anyone's eyes.

***Sugar and Starch***

Reduce or eliminate sugar and starch, as much as you can, from your diet and from your home. This includes sugar, candy, fruit and fruit juice, soda, white bread, white flour, white rice, corn starch, processed breakfast cereals, chips, crackers, cookies, snack foods, most processed foods, beer and wine, soft cheese, baked goods, etc. Carbohydrates especially need to be eaten as close to the natural state as possible.

Other OTC (over the counter) and "natural" remedies may be included, such as:

Echinacea/goldenseal – 500mg 3x/day – 4 days
Grapefruit seed ext – 20 drops 3x/day – 6 days
Garlic capsules – 1000mg 2x/day – 5 days
Oil of oregano – 500mg 3x/day – 7 days
Probiotic – 2x/day – for 7-10 days
Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca) or Grapefruit Seed Extract topically in a carrier base, NOT FULL STRENGTH – if using on lactating breasts, wash off before feeding baby.

Western Medicine (prescription) treatment for mother/baby thrush:

For mother - Diflucan (fluconazole): 400mg loading dose, then 100mg 2x/day for AT LEAST 2 weeks. Continue for one week after pain is gone.

For mother and baby - Nystatin suspension: DO NOT USE THE DROPPER. After every feeding, or at least 4-8 times per day, Get a big box of new Q-Tips. Take a new Q-Tip and dip it in the Nystatin suspension and put it in your baby's mouth. Baby will suck or chew on it, which is okay, you want the solution to coat baby's mouth and throat. Throw that Q-Tip away, and get a new Q-Tip, dip it in the Nystatin suspension, and paint your nipples. Throw that Q-Tip away.

Internet resources for thrush:

http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/thrush.html

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/thrush/thrush-resources.html

http://www.bflrc.com/newman/handouts/0501-HO06-Gentian_Violet.htm

http://www.bflrc.com/newman/handouts/0501-HO20-Fluconazole.htm

http://www.bflrc.com/newman/handouts/0501-HR_C-Candida_Protocol.htm

http://gentlebirth.org/archives/Thrush

http://gentlebirth.org/archives/vagInfections.html#Candidiasis