Relax, candida testing is nothing to worry about. We’ve listed questions you can expect from your doctor when going in for a candida test. As we mentioned in our “symptom of a yeast infection” page, there are several signs when you have a vaginal yeast infection. They are –

• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Vaginal and labial itching, burning
• Redness and/or inflammation of the vulvar skin
• Pain with intercourse
• Painful urination

When you see your physician about a yeast infection, she will ask you if you have any of the above symptoms. She will obtain your medical history as well as perform a physical examination as part of the candida testing.

I’ve broken down the questions you may be asked by your doctor (for the candida testing) by each symptom.

Abnormal vaginal discharge

Medical history questions documenting the vaginal discharge in detail for candida testing may include:

• Time pattern
  • When did this begin?
  • Does the discharge remain constant throughout the month?
• Quality
  • What does the discharge look like (color and consistency)?
  • Is there an odor?
  • Is there pain, itching, or burning?
• Aggravating factors
  • Does your sexual partner have a penile discharge?
  • Do you have multiple sexual partners or sexual partners that you do not know very well?
• Relieving factors
  • Is there anything that relieves the discharge?
  • Does frequent bathing help?
  • Have over-the-counter creams been tried?
  • Has douching been tried? What kind?
• Other
  • What other symptoms are present?
  • Abdominal pain?
  • Vaginal itching?
  • Fever?
  • Vaginal bleeding?
  • Rash?
  • Warts?
  • Other lesions?
  • Changes in urination?
  • Difficulty or pain on urination?
  • Blood in urine?
  • Diarrhea?
• Other important information
  • What medications are being taken?
  • What is the frequency of sexual activity?
  • Do you use condoms?
  • Do you have any allergies?
  • Have you changed the detergents or soaps that you use?
  • Do you frequently wear very tight panties or pants?

If the candida testing reveals a yeast infection, your doctor may suggest an antifungal, over-the-counter (OTC) medication. These come in a couple of forms — suppositories or creams. There are also a variety of formulations — 1 day, 3 days, or 7 days treatment strengths. I prefer the 3 or 7 days treatment strengths such as Monistat (miconazole) or Lotrimin AF (yes, I know this is for athlete’s foot, but trust me, it works just the same) to treat my yeast infections.

OR your doctor may prescribe Diflucan (fluconazole) if the candida testing reveals candida overgrowth. Logic is you get it filled according to your health plan policy or find your online choice here at a reputable merchant associated with the National Association Boards of Pharmacy

Click here for details into what types of physical and diagnostic tests your doctor would perform as part of your candida test.

Vaginal and labial itching, burning – Candida Testing

Medical history questions for candida testing documenting the vaginal itching in detail may include:

• Time pattern
  • When did the itching begin?
  • Has it occurred before?
• Quality
  • Is the itching severe?
  • Does it limit activities?
  • Is it getting better or worse?
• Location
  • Is the itching confined to the interior of the vagina?
  • Is the itching on the external vaginal area (vulva)?
• Aggravating factors
  • How often do you bathe?
  • Do you usually shower or use the bathtub?
  • Do you use scented soap, scented or colored toilet paper or bubble bath?
  • Do you frequently swim or participate in water sports?
  • Do you wear cotton panties or synthetic ones?
  • Do you wear tight pants or tight pantyhose?
• Relieving factors
  • What helps?
  • Have over-the-counter creams been tried? What kind?
  • Have douches been tried? What kind? How often?
• Other
  • What other symptoms are present?
  • Is there a family history of diabetes?
  • Is there vaginal bleeding?
  • Is there swelling?
  • Is there a rash?
  • Is there difficulty or pain on urination?
• Additional important information
  • What medications are being taken?
  • What is your menstrual history (complete history)?
  • Do you have any allergies?
  • Are you sexually active?
  • Do you use creams, deodorant sprays, or lubricants?
  • Do you use contraception? What type?

If the candida testing reveals a yeast infection, your doctor may suggest an antifungal, over-the-counter (OTC) medication. I prefer the 3 or 7 days treatments from Monistat (miconazole) or Lotrimin AF to treat my yeast infections. Another option is Vagistat 1 (tioconazole, 1 day treatment).

OR your doctor may prescribe Diflucan (fluconazole) if the candida testing reveals candida overgrowth. Fill your Diflucan prescription here at a reputable merchant associated with the National Association Boards of Pharmacy

When indicated, your doctor may also prescribe steroid creams or lotions to reduce inflammation. (link to hydrocortizone) Click here to see one such product. I would caution against using this too often or for too long as hydrocortizones tends to thin your dermal (skin) walls — not a good thing when your skin is already inflammed and itchy!

Also, ointments containing hormones may be ordered, and benzodiazepines or antihistamines may be prescribed for nighttime relief. A product I like to use is Vagisil. For a stronger version of Vagisil, click here.

Click here for details into what types of physical and diagnostic tests your doctor would perform as part of your candida test.

Pain with intercourse

Medical history questions for candida testing documenting painful intercourse in detail may include:

• Time pattern
  • When did it develop?
  • Is intercourse painful every time that it is attempted?
  • Has intercourse always been painful?
• Quality
  • Is it painful for your spouse, also?
  • Does the pain occur during entry?
• Location
  • Specifically, where is the pain? (labia, vagina, entire pelvic area etc.)
• Aggravating factors
  • What are your attitudes towards sex? (Note: many questions may be asked by the health care provider to determine your general and specific attitudes.)
  • Has there been a significant traumatic event in the past (rape, child abuse, or similar)?
  • What medications are being taken?
  • What illnesses, diseases, and disorders are being treated?
  • Has there been a significant emotional event recently?
• Relieving factors
  • What have you done to try to make intercourse less painful?
  • How well has it worked?
• Other
  • What other symptoms are present?

If the candida testing reveals a yeast infection, your doctor may prescribe antimicrobial and or anti-inflammatory medications. Again, here’re the product breakdowns –

• OTC antifungal medication
  • Monistat (miconazole)
  • Lotrimin AF
  • Vagistat 1 (tioconazole, 1 day treatment)
• Prescription
  • Diflucan (fluconazole)
• Anti-inflammatory, anti-itch
  • Hydrocortizone
  • Vagisil
  • Stronger version of Vagisil

Click here for details into what types of physical and diagnostic tests your doctor would perform as part of your candida testing.

Painful urination – Candida Testing

Medical history questions for candida testing documenting painful urination may include the following:

• Time pattern: When did the painful urination begin?
  • Quality
  • Does the pain occur only during urination?
  • Does the pain stop after urination?
• Location
  • Is the pain in the urethra?
  • Is there back pain?
• Other
  • What other symptoms are also present?
  • Have you had a fever higher than 100 degrees F?
  • Is there drainage or discharge between urinations?
  • Is there an abnormal urine odor?
  • Are there any changes in the volume or frequency of urination?
  • Do you have the urge to urinate?
  • Was any blood in the urine noticed?
  • Are there any rashes or itching in the genital area?
• What medications are you taking?
  • Are you pregnant or could you be pregnant?
  • Has there been a previous bladder infection?
  • Do you have any allergies to any medications?
  • Have you had sexual intercourse with someone who is known to have gonorrhea or chlamydia?
  • Has there been a recent change in the brand of soap, detergent, or fabric softener?
  • Have you had surgery or radiation to your urinary or sexual organs?

Click here for details into what types of physical and diagnostic tests your doctor would perform as part of your candida testing.

Are medical procedures involved in your candida test? Know what to expect when you go in to see your doctor for your yeast infection.

So you have the classic symptoms of a yeast infection. You make an appointment to see your doctor. I’ve listed below the medical procedure you can expect from your doctor (as part of the candida test) to help her diagnose whether you have a yeast infection. These procedures are broken down by yeast infection symptoms.

Abnormal vaginal discharge

Remember, call your doctor if …

• The discharge is associated with abdominal discomfort, pain, or fever.
• The problem occurs in a child who has not reached puberty.
• The discharge may be caused by taking a drug.
• The problem persists for longer than 2 weeks or becomes worse.
• A sexually transmitted disease is suspected.

The physical examination part of the candida test may include a pelvic examination.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• A culture of the mouth of the womb (cervix) (if venereal disease is suspected)
• Microscopic examination of vaginal discharge specimen, also called a wet prep. This tests for cause of the infection of the vagina. It does not include the urinary tract.

How the wet prep in a candida test is performed

You will be asked to lie on your back with your feet in the stirrups. A pelvic examination will be done, and a speculum (an instrument used to dilate the body passage in order to examine the interior) will be inserted into your vagina and opened slightly. A sterile, moist cotton swab is inserted, and a sample of the discharge is taken. The swab is removed and then the speculum. Slides are prepared, one with a salt solution and one with a potassium hydroxide solution, then viewed under a microscope.

What is involved in the wet prep? – candida test

To prepare for your wet prep candida test, be sure you do not do the following, at least 24 hours before your doctor’s appointment –

• No douching
• No sex
• No treatment – i.e. you haven’t been treating yourself with any OTC or prescribed medication

There may be a slight discomfort with the pelvic examination. Now ladies, we all know how uncomfortable a pap smear test is, right? While this test is not quiet as bad, I think we can all agree that having a steel, cold speculum inserted into your vaginal is definitely not a joy ride. Here’s a little “trick” I do to make my wet prep (and pap smear) test more bearable. As your doctor, registered nurse, or nurse practitioner prepares to perform the wet prep, casually say to her — “Can I have the gentle cycle, please?” And don’t forget to say this with a smile! Ladies, you have no idea how many times this line has saved me from an unpleasant pelvic examination! So, give this line a shot next time you’re up for a wet prep (for candida test) or pap smear.

If the candida testing reveals a yeast infection, your doctor may suggest an antifungal, over-the-counter (OTC) medication. These come in a couple of forms — suppositories or creams. There are also a variety of formulations — 1 day, 3 days, or 7 days treatment strengths. I prefer the 3 or 7 days treatment strengths such as Monistat (miconazole) orLotrimin AF (yes, I know this is for athlete’s foot, but trust me, it works just the same) to treat my yeast infections.

OR your doctor may prescribe Diflucan (fluconazole) if the candida test reveals candida overgrowth. Get your Diflucan prescription filled according to your health plan policy or find your online choice here at a reputable merchant associated with the National Association Boards of Pharmacy.

Vaginal and labial itching, burning

Remember, call your doctor if …

• Symptoms worsen or persist longer than 1 week.
• There is unusual vaginal bleeding or swelling.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• Culture and microscopic exam of vaginal discharge (also called a wet prep)
• Pap smear (also called a papanicolaou test). The Pap smear can detect cancerous or precancerous conditions of the cervix
• Urine and blood studies (including hormone levels)
• Skin biopsies of the vulvar area

How the pap smear (a possible component in the candida test) is performed

You will be asked to lie on your back with your feet in the stirrups. A pelvic examination will be done, and a speculum (an instrument used to open the walls of the vaginal canal in order to examine the interior) will be inserted into your vagina and opened slightly. A sample of cells from the outside and the canal of the cervix is taken by gently scraping the outside of the cervix with a wooden or plastic spatula, then inserting a small brush that looks like a pipe cleaner into the canal.

The cells are placed on a glass slide and sprayed with a fixative, or put in a bottle containing a preservative, then sent to the lab for examination.

What is involved in a pap smear test?

To prepare for your pap smear (may be a component of the candida test), be sure youdo not do the following, at least 24 hours before your doctor’s appointment –

• No douching
• Do not use tampons
• No sex
• No tub bathing

Make sure you do not schedule your Pap smear test while you are menstruating. The blood and cells from the endometrial cavity may obscure the accuracy of the test.

Some things you should do –

• Let your doctor know if you had a prior abnormal Pap smear result
• Let you doctor know if you might be pregnant
• Let your doctor know if you are taking any medications or birth control pills
• Empty your bladder just before the test

Again, as with the wet prep, there may be some discomfort. Additionally, there may be a feeling of pressure during the procedure. A small amount of bleeding may occur after the test.

If the candida test reveals a yeast infection, your doctor may suggest an antifungal, over-the-counter (OTC) medication. I prefer the 3 or 7 day treatments from Monistat (miconazole) or Lotrimin AF to treat my yeast infections. Another option is Vagistat 1 (tioconazole, 1 day treatment).

OR your doctor may prescribe Diflucan (fluconazole) if the candida test reveals candida overgrowth. Fill your prescription at this online choice here at a reputable merchant and find relief with the results of your candida test. This merchant is associated with the National Association Boards of Pharmacy so you know you’re dealing with a reputable company.

When indicated, your doctor may also prescribe steroid creams or lotions to reduce inflammation. (link to hydrocortizone) Click here to see an example of this product. I would caution against using this too often or for too long as hydrocortizones tends to thin your dermal (skin) walls — not a good thing when your skin is already inflammed and itchy!

Also, ointments containing hormones may be ordered, and benzodiazepines or antihistamines may be prescribed for nighttime relief. A product I like to use is Vagisil. For a stronger version of Vagisil, click here.

Pain with intercourse – candida test

Unless this problem is obviously caused by the physical symptoms of one person, the couple involved should see the doctor together. Physical examination may include a pelvic examination (for women, see above “Abnormal vaginal discharge” and “Vaginal and labial itching, burning”), a prostate examination (for men), and a rectal examination. If a physical problem is suspected, appropriate tests will be ordered.

If the candida test reveals a yeast infection, your doctor may prescribe antimicrobial and or anti-inflammatory medications. Again, here’re the product breakdowns –

• OTC antifungal medication
  • Monistat (miconazole)
  • Lotrimin AF (yes, I know this is for athlete’s foot, but trust me, it works just the same)
  • Vagistat 1 (tioconazole, 1 day treatment)
• Prescription
  • Diflucan (fluconazole)
• Anti-inflammatory, anti-itch
  • Hydrocortizone
  • Vagisil
  • Stronger version of Vagisil

Painful urination

With previous bladder or kidney infections, a more detailed history and physical are needed, and extra laboratory studies may be necessary. In women with a vaginal discharge, an examination of the vagina and any discharge is necessary. Men who have penile discharge will need to have a urethral swab done. Additionally, your doctor may order an office urine dipstick test. Based on those results, a urine culture may be ordered. DNA probes for gonorrhea or chlamydia may also be obtained. This may be part of the candida test.

… and that breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth is causing you pain? You may have a yeast infection in the milk ducts. Have you been on a Nystatin or gentian violet treatment and your breasts and nipples are still unbearably painful? As I mentioned before, if you have been using Nystatin (and various other breastfeeding infection yeast treatments) now for at least 2 weeks and you’re still feeling pain in your nipples, it may be time to pay another visit to your doctor for a different treatment plan for your yeast infection.

Nystatin only has about a 46% cure rate as the candida organism is getting more and more resistant to this and various other antifungal drugs. Other types of topical antifungal medications for breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth are Mycelex troches (active ingredient — clotrimazole) and Nizoral (active ingredient — ketoconazole). With the Mycelex, the tablet needs to be crushed, then mixed with breastmilk or water and then apply it to the inside of the baby’s mouth. Click here to find Mycelex troches online.

Nizarol is available in a 2 percent cream for the breast/nipples and diaper rash or a tablets for oral use. Ketoconazole, the active ingredient in Nizarol, is very potent. Ketoconazole is also available in pill form. However, doctors may be less inclined to prescribe this for babies as the side effects on infants have not been studied. Side effects of ketoconazole include suppression of hormone production and liver damage (hepatitis). Liver damage has been noted even with short term use. Once drug usage is discontinued, the liver damage appears to reverse itself, although in some cases, the liver is never back to what it was before. Also, in pill form, Nizarol is still not as effective as Diflucan (fluconazole). So, weight your risks and benefits closely when deciding whether you want to be on this form of breast feeding infection yeast therapy. Click here for more information on ketoconazole/Nizarol tablets and here for information on the cream for your breastfeeding infection yeast treatment.

Back to your breast feeding infection yeast problem … you’re still feeling the pain? Only now, the pain is radiating from your nipples to your breasts and to your back, or shoulder, or armpits. It’s more than an improper latch-on because the pain stings, burns, and feels like your breasts are on fire. These are signs that your breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth has spread to your milk ducts. Oh boy … bad news. Why’s that, you ask? The yeast organism loves a warm, moist, sugary environment. So guess what your milk ducts are? You guessed it — warm, moist, and sugary. So once the yeast infection spreads into your milk ducts, it’s a long battle to get rid of it. Treatment for ductal candidiasis typically lasts 2-4 weeks. Topical antifungal remedies are sufficient anymore when the yeast goest “ductal”. It’s time to bring out the “big gun” — Diflucan (active ingredient — fluconazole) that’s taken orally.

Now here’s the problem with treating a  yeast infection in breast while breastfeeding with Diflucan — most doctors think that treating with just 1 or 2 doses is enough because it’s the typical dosage for treating vaginal yeast infections. It’s not. When treating a ductal breastfeeding infection yeast overgrowth with just 1 or 2 doses of Diflucan, the yeast may seem to clear up for a few days, but then it returns even more aggressively. So, with ductal infections, it’s best to treat it aggressively from the get-go. Here’s what some doctors are now prescribing for milk duct yeast infections –

Mom’s weight	Day 1	Days 2-14
< 125 lbs	200 mg	100 mg
125 – 150 lbs	300 mg	150 mg
150 lbs >	400 mg	200 mg

The above treatment regimen is for a minimum of 14 days but depending on the severity and stubborness of your breast feeding infection yeast, you may need to be on Diflucan for a longer period of time, possibly up to 8 weeks.

Most health insurances will cover a prescription for Diflucan for your breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth. Get your Diflucan prescription filled according to your health plan policy or find your online choice here at a reputable merchant associated with the National Association Boards of Pharmacy.

Your breast feeding infection yeast can be sent packing with remedies that nature provides such as garlic, zinc, and more. I talked earlier about breast feeding infection yeast overgrowths, why nursing mothers get them, conventional treatment methods, and some things you can do in addition to your treatment that can help rid you of this nasty yeast infection in you and your baby.

If you came straight to this page without having read my 2 earlier pages, let me say this — if you’re not sure whether you have a breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth, be sure to see your doctor. You don’t want to be treating this thing without medical supervision. And, make sure you’re treating both you and your baby for this yeast infection or else you’ll end up passing the infection back and forth.

If you are experiencing shooting pain that radiates from your nipples througout your breasts and to your armpits or back, and you’ve been on Nystatin, you may want to see your doctor as that’s a very likely sign that your yeast infection has spread into your milk ducts. Your doctor will have to put you on a more powerful breast feeding infection yeast treatment.

Now … back to my list of breast feeding infection yeast treatments. Here’re some other treatments you can use in addition to your Nystatin regimen or alone, depending on the severity of your breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth. I’ve broken down the treatment into two categories — the types you use topically (externally), and the types you ingest to help fight the yeast from the inside out.

Rinses or soaks

Lemon-water rinse
This breast feeding infection yeast remedy works the same way as the vinegar-water rinse — it lowers the pH on your skin making it inhospitable to the yeast microbes. To make this solution, mix the juice from 1/2 lemon with 1 quart of water. Again, if this formula isn’t strong enough, you can increase the lemon-to-water ratio to 1 lemon instead of 1/2. Again, to use this solution, rinse your nipples several times a day (preferably after feedings) and let them air dry. You can also use this solution on your baby’s diaper rash if it’s due to yeast.

Potassium sorbate
Potassium sorbate is a potassium salt version of sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a polyunsaturated fat used to inhibit mold growth. Sorbic acid and its salts are commonly used to inhibit the growth of microbes — i.e. help preserve the foods we buy in stores. Potassium sorbate sometimes can be purchased from local microbrew supply stores or some natural foods stores also carry them. Here’s a reputable site that for potassium sorbate that has good service and a decent price.

Mix approximately 1 tablespoon (8 gm) of potassium sorbate into 1 cup of warm water. This will make a 3% solution. This sounds funny, but soak your nipples in this solution for 10-15 minutes after each feeding and let nipples air dry. Make sure you use a clean solution for each soak.

Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is the essential oils derived from the Melaleuca alternifloria tree cultivated in Australia. It is supposed to have antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties. As with most essential oils, DO NOT apply undiluted oil directly on skin, especially tea tree oil. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil to a 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil. Adjust the ratio accordingly if you feel the tea tree oil is too strong or too weak for your particular yeast infection. Apply this topically on your nipples several times a day. You can find tea tree oil at your local health food store or here online for the regular version or here’s an organic version.

Plantain Leaf
This plant (Plantago major) has antibacterial properties. Mix a tiny bit of warm water to a tablespoon of powder to make a slightly liquidy paste (not runny) and apply to nipples after feeding. Leave on until paste dries then gently wash off with warm water and pat dry. Plantain leaf powder can be found in some health food stores or you can get them from reputable herbal merchants on the web.

Treatments you ingest

Garlic
I’ve suggested this before … so why am I pushing this again? Because I’ve personally experienced awesome results from using this herbal remedy. And there’s also a reason why cultures all over the world continue to use garlic in their daily diet. Take 2-4 garlic capsules 3 times a day when you’re fighting a yeast infection. Garlic is a powerful anti-bacterial and anti-viral fighter. I’ve been doing this the past couple of years and I can’t praise the power of garlic enough! I’ve tried a couple of brands (for oral intake) and have seen great results from this one. Naturally, as with anything you ingest, be sure to take note on whether / how it affects your baby as what you ingest will in most cases get passed on, through your breast milk, to your baby. Garlic sometimes can cause gas in your baby, resulting in fussiness.

Goldenseal
Goldenseal is another plant that has powerful antibiotic and antifungal properties. This stuff is super effective at cleansing the body of yeast. To ingest this, take 250-500 mg of powdered extract 3 times a day. Beware — goldenseal is really bitter … so keep that in mind when you decide whether to purchase it in the form of powder or capsules.

Maitake tea
Maitake mushroom is know to contain properties that help stimulate the immune system as well as containing antifungal properties. To ingest this, drink the tea (4-6 cups a day) everyday for two weeks. Here’s a blend that contains several different types of mushrooms that also work together to stimulate the immune system.

Barberry bark
In powdered form you can take 250-500 mg three times a day. You can find barberry bark in some health food stores or here online.

Caprylic acid
Ingest 2-3 capsules 3-4 times a day for 2 weeks. take two to three capsules three to four times per day for two weeks (or 1 gram at meals). Again, you can find caprylic acid supplements in your local health food store or purchase it online from a reputable merchant.

Lecithin
Take 1 gel cap 3 times a day. Find this supplement at your local grocer or buy this breast feeding infection yeast supplement here online.

Click here to continue reading if you think your breast feeding infection yeast is more than just skin (or in this case, nipple) deep.

Unfortunately, the breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth won’t go away just because you stopped nursing your baby. That’s a common misconception many mothers have — that if they stop breastfeeding their baby, their breast/nipple pain and breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth will simply resolve itself and go away. No — this nasty, stubborn yeast infection will not go away — especially if (and most likely she will) your baby has thrush — a yeast infection of the mouth.

I talked briefly in an earlier page about how and why your nipples and breasts could be hurting from nursing your baby and why some mothers get a breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth. Here, I’ll continue with more causes and treatments for this yeast infection of the breast.

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again — please go to your doctor for a proper diagnosis if you suspect you have a breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth. You may have the tell tale signs of a yeast infection, but this is not something you want to treat on your own. If you do have a breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth, you will need to treat both you and your baby or else the untreated party will end up re-infecting the “cured” one.

Again, if your’e experiencing continual breast/nipple pain, tenderness, burning or cracked nipples, this could indicate a breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth. However, some common causes of nipple discomfort could be — 1) improper “latch-on”/positioning of the baby at the breast, 2) improper use of the breast pump, and 3) eczema or excessively dry or irritated skin. If these are not the causes of your breast pain, and your doctor has diagnosed you with a breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth, then you’re most likely put on Nystatin and or Lotrimin (clotrimazole).

As I mentioned before, treatment with Nystatin will usually take anywhere from one to two weeks, depending on the severity and stubborness of your (and your baby’s) yeast infections. Breastfeeding is the near perfect environment — moist, warm, and sugary — for yeast to thrive on. This is especially true of your baby’s mouth during and immediately after breastfeeding. So, while on your breast feeding infection yeast treatment cycle, try to –

• avoid eating a high sugar diet
• avoid taking antibiotics if at all possible
• get enough rest (yes, I know this is hard with a baby)
• avoid (or lower) stress

A lowered or taxed immune system will only make your battle with this breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth harder and longer. These are also good guidelines in general for yeast infection prevention.

Some other things that will help in addition to your Nystatin treatment (or any yeast infection treatment) –

• Add acidophilus to your diet whether in yogurt or capsule form. If you chose to go the yogurt route, be sure to get the kind that’s low in sugar. I’ve had good success with PB8 and Culturelle LGG. When looking for acidophilus, you want to make sure you get the ones without any dairy or yeast products. Not all acidophilus products are created equal. They all claim to have X number of live bacteria in each serving. Trust me — that’s not always true because of the manufacturing, delivery and storage conditions. All that plus the fact that the acidophilus organisms have to make it through your stomach acids alive for them to do their work in your intestines. Chances are, you’re getting a much lower number of acidophilus per serving/capsule than what was stated in the manufacturer’s label. Also, while the manufacturer has suggested serving directions, I typically take 2 to 3 times the amount when I have a particularly bad bout of yeast.You can also give some of the acidophilus to your baby. At feeding time, break open the capsule, wet your finger, coat wet finger with acidophilus powder, and “coat” the inside of your baby’s mouth (particularly the white patches) with the powder. Or, try wetting your nipple with some water and coat it with the acidophilus powder right before breastfeeding. You only need to do this three times a day.
• Try using some gentian violet. Use one with a 1% solution in water. You can usually find gentian violet at health food stores or your local pharmacy. First, if you’ve never used gentian violet, let me say that this stuff stains and it stains bright purple! So, before you use this, be sure to undress your baby down to her diapers. Likewise, for yourself, wear something old that you’re not worried about getting stained, and strip down to the waist. Apply a bit of petroleum jelly on your baby’s lips and around her mouth. This will help prevent staining the lips and the skin around her mouth. Drop a few drops of the gentian violet solution onto a new cotton swab and swab it around the inside of your baby’s mouth. Then place your baby on her stomach (also, make sure you have a towel or sheet below baby — something to catch your baby’s drool) so that she doesn’t swallow too much of the solution. If your baby drools purple, you’ve given her too much. Dip another clean cotton swab into the gentian violet solution and paint your nipples. When you nurse your baby, make sure you have an old burp cloth around to catch any purple drool. Also, wearing nursing pads or cut up square pieces of old t-shirts, etc. inside your bra will help you avoid staining it. Here’s a nursing pad I like or if you prefer a disposable nursing pad. Repeat the gentian violet treatment each day for 3 to 4 days.Also, for some people, gentian violet is very drying and irritates the skin. So if you’re one of them and you’re going to use this treatment for an extended period of time, you may want to dilute the 1% gentian violet solution in half.Some say using gentian violet alone is enough to get rid of a breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth. I think there’s still some debate on whether this is completely effective alone … perhaps it is on the milder cases of yeast infection. Another thing is, some babies are more sensitive to gentian violet as it can irritate the oral mucus membranes in their mouths. In these babies, using too much gentian violet can cause sores in their mouths and they may refuse the nipple. If this happens to your baby, be sure to call your doctor and stop using the gentian violet. The sores should clear up in 24 hours. Also, a recent controversy on the use of gentian violet for thrush is regarding its safety as a recent study done in Australia linked its use to mouth cancer. Nonetheless, most doctors around the world still recommend gentian violet as the treatment for thrush. The decision is yours, naturally on whether to use this breast feeding infection yeast treatment on you and your baby. If you do use it, use caution and don’t use this treatment for extended periods of time, and no more than 3-4 days at a time.
• Breast/nipple pain too much to bear while waiting for the Nystatin to work? You may want to take 400 – 600 mgs of ibuprofen every six hours to ease the deep breast pain. Do not take more than 1200 mgs in 24 hours.
• Wash your hands frequently — preferrably NOT with anti-bacterial soap, particularly after nursing. Anti-bacterial soaps kill off the bacteria that helps keep the candida in check. Also to avoid re-infection, be sure to wash and boil the breast pump parts, pacifiers, bottles, and toys in HOT water after each use. If toys can’t be boiled, run them through the dishwasher on HOT and if possible, rinse off when done with vinegar. If you also have a vaginal yeast infection, be sure to boil underwear in water for 5 minutes, or iron with a HOT iron to kill the candida organism.
• Wash all clothing that comes in contact with infected skin (nursing bras, underwear, etc.) with a hypoallergenic detergent in HOT water and add a cup of distilled white vinegar to the final rinse to kill the yeast. The hypoallergenic detergent will hopefully help in the area of no added perfumes that could irritate skin. If you can’t add vinegar to your wash, try boiling the items for 5 minutes or ironing the items with a HOT iron for a few minutes. Some recommend microwaving the damp clothing articles for five minutes. I’m a little wary of that as I think the microwaving would probably turn the elastic into a big glob of rubber goo.
• If you have a vaginal yeast infection in addition to your breast feeding infection yeast, try wearing loose, all cotton underwear and nursing bras. I go as far as wearing purely white, all cotton underwear so I don’t have to worry about throwing bleach into my wash. Here’re some all cotton underwear and nursing bra(comes in white and “gentian-violet-safe” — i.e. black) that I like that are available in different colors.
• Strengthen your immune system. A strong immune system will help you fight this breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth. Take 2-4 garlic capsules 3 times a day when you’re fighting a yeast infection. Garlic is a powerful anti-bacterial and anti-viral fighter. I’ve been doing this the past couple of years and I can’t praise the power of garlic enough! I’ve tried a couple of brands (for oral intake) and have seen great results from this one.
• Apply a vinegar-water solution to your nipples several times a day to help fight the yeast. Vinegar raises the pH on your skin, making the environment inhospitable to the yeast organism. Mix 2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar to 1 quart of water. If this solution is not strong enough for you, you can try a 1/2 vinegar 1/2 water solution. If your baby has a diaper rash due to yeast, you can also rinse her bottom with this vinegar-water solution and air dry. You can also use this same solution if you have a vaginal yeast infection.
• Air it — after breastfeeding and rinsing with the vinegar-water solution, let your nipples aerate. Or you can speed up the process by blow drying with a hair dryer on the cool setting. At night, sleep without a bra on or go braless if at all possible during the day.

Generally, when you are on a breast feeding infection yeast Nystatin treatment, you should see rapid improvement within 24 to 72 hours. The candida organism has gotten more and more resistant to antifungal drugs in the past few years. I personally believe it’s due to the general overuse of antibiotics and antifungal drugs. Studies have actually confirmed some of this, especially on drugs such as a clotrimazole and fluconazole (Diflucan). Nystatin seems to fall into this category of drugs that candida is becoming more resistant to because it only has a 46% cure rate on babies with thrush versus 86% cure rate using Diflucan (fluconazole). No wonder then, that more and more doctors are prescribing Diflucan for babies!

So just what am I saying? I’m saying, make sure you treat both you and your baby if either of you have a yeast infection and you’re breastfeeding. Yes, make sure you treat your baby even if you don’t see those white spots in her mouth that’re indicative of thrush. Be sure to see your doctor if you’ve been on the Nystatin treatment for your breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth now for a few weeks and you’re still not rid of your yeast. Maybe it’s due time for other alternatives such as Diflucan, etc.

Read our series on treating yeast infections from breast feeding:

• More treatment options for your breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth (page 1 of 3)
• More treatment options for your breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth (page 2 of 3)
• More treatment options for your breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth (page 3 of 3)

Breast pain, sign of breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth can make nursing your baby nearly unbearable. What can you do? The joy, closeness, and bonding experienced by moms in breast feeding their baby can’t be fully described with words. But a trade-off for a good number of mothers is experiencing breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth. It is a very real problem — you enjoy breast feeding your child and you know it’s good for her. Yet, the sheer discomfort and pain from the breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth sometimes make this “task” unbearable and at times, something a mother simply does not look forward to.

If you are one of those women, rest assured, you are not abnormal. Suffering from a breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth is more common than you think. Chances are, you’re probably in the 75% of women who have experienced a vaginal yeast infection. If you’ve never had a vaginal yeast infection, count yourself very blessed!!! First of all, how in the world did you get the breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth? Well, if your baby has thrush — that is a yeast infection in her mouth — and you are breast feeding, your baby can pass this yeast infection to your breasts.

The yeast organism is very common in the human body. It exists on our skin, in our mouths, in our intestines and genitalia. In a healthy body, candida (the technical name for yeast) co-exists with other bacteria; they keep each other in check. When this “checks-and-balances” system somehow fails, the yeast overgrows and cases some form of yeast infection (vaginal yeast, thrush, etc.).

Here’re some symptoms of thrush –

• white patches and or increased redness on the inside of the mouth, the lips and cheeks that can’t be washed off easily.
• refusal to latch-on
• click or poping sounds while nursing
• pull off the breast
• diaper rash

Here’re some symptoms of a breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth –

• red (or deep pink), burning, cracked, itchy, flaky, or shiny nipples
• deep, shooting pain or tenderness/discomfort in the breast during or immediately after nursing. This pain may be from the nipples spreading throughout the breast to the armpit area to the back.
• Tiny, white blisters or fuzzy, white patches on or around the nipple
• vaginal yeast infection

Note — you and your baby may not have or exhibit all of the above symptoms to have a yeast infection.

Again, how can you tell if you have a breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth? It is not abnormal for your nipples to be a little sore from breastfeeding. However, to have cracked and/or bleeding nipples is not normal. It shouldn’t be painful to nurse your baby. If you experience pain in your breasts or nipples from breastfeeding, take it as a symptom that something needs to be corrected. Now some women may have some blood (but no pain) during the first week of breastfeeding — this shouldn’t be alarming as this discharge could be the result of increased blood flow to your breasts as your milk producing tissue grows to lactate. This condition is harmless and does not need treatment — it should resolve itself in a few days.

Now just because you have cracked or bleeding nipples doesn’t automatically mean you have a breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth. Most cases of cracked or bleeding nipples is improper positioning of the baby to the breast. Improper positioning can also cause severe nipple pain. So try correcting your breastfeeding position — you would be amazed at how even a slight adjustment in position can soothe (or even cure) your painful, cracked nipples. If this is the case for you, check for a poor latch-on technique. Make sure your baby is facing your nipple and tummy to tummy with you. Also, make sure she opens wide so that she can take a mouthful of both nipple and areola. Be sure that the baby’s lips (particularly the bottom lip) is everted and covering almost the entire areola. Or, try shorter, more frequent nursing sessions. With shorter amounts of time in between nursings, your baby will be less hungry and not nurse as hard. You can also try changing positions each time your nurse — at least the pressure from your baby’s gums will be one a different part of your breast each time.

Painful, cracked, or bleeding nipples could also result from improper use of your breast pump. Some brands of breast pumps can create excessive suction and cause hemorrhaging under the skin. Some brands of breast pumps can also handle the breast too roughly and break cappilaries, causing undue injuries to the already delicate breat tissue. Here’s a brand I like that comes with a soft cup instead of the traditional rigid funnel cup — it literally adheres to your breast without you having to hold on to it! Here’s the same soft cup manual pump for moms who don’t need all the frills of a full package. This soft cup manual pump truly is awesome … it expresses milk in almost no time at all and the soft silicone cup makes the whole process easy and nearly stress free. For those who prefer a rigid cup, Hollister makes a good one.

Another cause of painful, bleeding, or cracked nipples can be eczema or excessively dry skin. Any number of reasons and conditions can cause super dry skin such as the chemicals and ingredients in your soap, powder, deodorant, anti-bacterial cleanser, perfume, residue from laundry detergent, or even the lotion you apply to your breasts. Living in a very dry climate can also cause severe dry skin. What can you do about this? If you’re using any of the above items (i.e. soap, lotion, etc.) on your breasts & nipples, stop. All you need to keep your breasts and nipples clean is a water. Also, try rubbing a bit of breast milk on the nipples (and the let them air dry) after you nurse your baby. The milk will help heal the cracked nipples. If the cracks are severe and deep, you can try applying a small amount of medical-grade lanolin on your nipples. This will relieve your pain and allow the cracks to heal much faster with no scabs. There is no need to wash this off before feedings. Here’s a good site for this stuff.

Now if you’ve tried all of the above and you’re still seeing no relief from your cracked nipples and painful breasts, you may very well have a breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth … and chances are, you baby would have thrush even if she does not have the tell tale white spots in her mouth. So if this is the case, what can you do?

First thing is — go see your doctor. It is best to have your doctor diagnose and set you on a treatment plan. Now diagnosis for a breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth is another hurdle. First, you have to come up with a yeast culture (some kind of “discharge” like when you get a vaginal yeast infection, you have the “cottage cheese-like” discharge) — not an easy task when the breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth is on the nipples. Second, most obstetricians’ offices do not have the lab and equipment to perform this test. What this leaves you then, is in most cases, your doctor will diagnose you simply from the symptoms she can see (i.e. cracked, red nipples, etc.) and what you tell her … yes, this is frustrating indeed. Once your doctor diagnoses you and your baby with breast feeding yeast infection overgrowth and thrush (respectively), she will most likely prescribe you an oral antifungal medication like Nystatin. What you would do with the Nystatin is to apply it to the inside of your baby’s mouth (on the white spots) for several times a day for up to ten days. Your doctor may also tell you to apply some Nystatin (or Lotrimin — clotrimazole as active ingredient) to your nipples. When treating a breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth, it’s often necesary to treat both mother and child. Treating only one but not the other will only allow you to pass the infection back and forth. Is there no end to this “burning nipple hell”???

And no — don’t think for a minute that if you just stop nursing your baby, your breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth will just go away and your breasts will stop hurting.

So, please take precaution and treat both you and your baby. Typically, Nystatin will bring relief to your breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth within 24 to 72 hours. With any of these antifungal medications, you don’t have to wash it off your nipples before nursing your baby. In general, these topical medications are quickly absorbed within 10 -15 minutes and the amount your baby will take in is insignificant. To make sure that you eliminate all signs of the yeast infection, however, treatment with Nystatin could take up to 2 weeks. In general, side effects from Nystatin are rare. Sometimes high oral doses may cause nausea, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. You need to treat your breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth very aggressively. Why? Because if you don’t get rid of this infection the first time around, chances are it will come back with a vengeance. Worse yet, the breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth could spread to your milk ducts. And once the yeast gets into the milk ducts, it’s bad news because it’s extremely difficult to get rid of. Click here for more information on Nystatin (treatment for your breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth) and here for Lotrimin AF (yes, I know this is for athlete’s foot, but trust me, it’s the exact same product, just repackaged for a different part of your body!).

Want to read more about breast feeding infection yeast overgrowths, treating with Nystatin and other treatment alternatives? There’s always more to say, but this page is getting a tad too long, so click here to continue …