What causes oral thrush in babies. How to recognize the symptoms of oral thrush in infants. Which natural treatments are effective for oral thrush in babies. When to seek medical attention for infant oral thrush. How to prevent recurrence of oral thrush in babies.

Understanding Oral Thrush in Infants: A Common Fungal Infection

Oral thrush is a prevalent fungal infection that affects many infants, particularly in the first few weeks or months of life. This condition is caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans, a yeast-like fungus naturally present in small amounts in the mouth and other parts of the body. While the presence of Candida is normal, certain factors can lead to its proliferation, resulting in the characteristic symptoms of oral thrush.

Why do infants develop oral thrush? The primary reason is their immature immune systems, which are less capable of keeping fungal growth in check. Additionally, the use of antibiotics can disrupt the balance of microorganisms in the mouth, creating an environment conducive to Candida overgrowth. In some cases, breastfeeding mothers with Candida infections on their nipples may transmit the infection to their babies during feeding.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Oral Thrush in Babies

Identifying oral thrush in infants is crucial for prompt treatment. The most common signs include:

• White patches on the tongue, inner cheeks, and roof of the mouth
• Redness or bleeding underneath the white lesions
• Discomfort or irritability during feeding
• Cracking at the corners of the mouth
• Persistent white coating that cannot be wiped away

Can oral thrush cause pain in infants? While many babies may not experience significant discomfort, some can become irritable, especially during feeding, if their mouth is sore. It’s important to note that the symptoms can appear suddenly and may gradually increase in severity if left untreated.

Natural Remedies for Treating Oral Thrush in Infants

While medical treatments are available, many parents seek natural remedies for oral thrush in their infants. Some potentially effective options include:

1. Probiotics: Adding lactobacilli to the infant’s diet, often in the form of yogurt, may help restore the balance of beneficial bacteria in the mouth.
2. Coconut oil: Known for its antifungal properties, coconut oil can be gently applied to the affected areas.
3. Baking soda: A mild solution of baking soda and water may help neutralize the acidic environment that Candida thrives in.

Are natural remedies safe for treating oral thrush in infants? It’s crucial to consult with a pediatrician before using any natural remedy, as even natural substances can have side effects or interact with other treatments. Some suggested remedies, such as grapefruit seed extract or tea tree oil, may contain additional substances that are not safe for infants.

Medical Treatments for Infant Oral Thrush

When should you seek medical treatment for oral thrush in babies? If symptoms persist or worsen despite home care, it’s essential to consult a healthcare provider. Medical treatments may include:

• Antifungal drops or gel: These are typically prescribed to be applied directly to the affected areas in the mouth.
• Oral antifungal medication: In severe cases, systemic antifungal drugs may be necessary.
• Treatment for breastfeeding mothers: If the mother has a Candida infection on her nipples, both mother and baby may require treatment to prevent reinfection.

How long does it take for oral thrush to clear up with treatment? In many cases, oral thrush in infants may resolve within two weeks, even without medication. However, if symptoms persist or worsen, a course of antifungal treatment may be necessary.

Preventing Recurrence of Oral Thrush in Infants

Preventing the recurrence of oral thrush is an important aspect of infant care. Here are some strategies to reduce the risk of reinfection:

• Sterilize feeding equipment, pacifiers, and toys that the baby puts in their mouth
• Wash hands thoroughly before handling the baby, especially before feeding
• If breastfeeding, keep nipples clean and dry
• Consider probiotic supplements for both mother and baby, under medical supervision
• Limit the use of antibiotics unless absolutely necessary

Can dietary changes help prevent oral thrush in infants? While there’s limited evidence specifically for infants, maintaining a balanced diet rich in probiotics and low in sugar may help support overall immune function and reduce the risk of fungal overgrowth.

The Impact of Oral Thrush on Infant Feeding

Oral thrush can significantly affect an infant’s feeding patterns and comfort. Some common issues include:

• Difficulty latching or sucking during breastfeeding
• Reduced appetite due to mouth discomfort
• Fussiness or crying during feeding sessions
• Potential weight loss if feeding is severely impacted

How can you support an infant with oral thrush during feeding? Offering smaller, more frequent feeds can help. For bottle-fed babies, ensuring the nipple flow is appropriate can reduce frustration. Breastfeeding mothers may need to express milk and feed with a cup or spoon temporarily if the baby is having difficulty latching.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

While oral thrush is generally not serious, there are situations where prompt medical attention is necessary. Parents should contact a healthcare provider immediately if:

• The infant develops a fever
• There are signs of dehydration (e.g., fewer wet diapers, sunken fontanelle)
• The baby refuses to feed for multiple sessions
• Thrush spreads to the throat, potentially causing difficulty swallowing
• Symptoms worsen or don’t improve after a week of treatment

Can oral thrush lead to more serious complications in infants? In rare cases, particularly in infants with weakened immune systems, oral thrush can spread to other parts of the body. This systemic infection, known as invasive candidiasis, requires immediate medical intervention.

The Role of the Immune System in Oral Thrush

Understanding the connection between the immune system and oral thrush is crucial for comprehending why infants are particularly susceptible. The immune system plays a vital role in keeping Candida populations in check. In infants, several factors contribute to their increased vulnerability:

• Immature immune systems: Newborns and young infants have not yet developed robust immune responses.
• Lack of beneficial bacteria: The oral microbiome is still establishing itself in the first months of life.
• Exposure to new environments: As infants explore their world, they encounter various microorganisms.

How does breastfeeding affect an infant’s immune system and risk of oral thrush? Breast milk contains antibodies and other immune-boosting components that can help protect against infections, including thrush. However, if a breastfeeding mother has a Candida infection, it can potentially be transmitted to the baby during feeding.

The Potential of Probiotics in Managing Oral Thrush

Probiotics have gained attention as a potential natural remedy for oral thrush in infants. These beneficial bacteria may help in several ways:

• Competing with Candida for resources and adhesion sites in the mouth
• Producing substances that inhibit fungal growth
• Modulating the immune response to better control Candida populations

Which probiotic strains are most effective against oral thrush in infants? While research is ongoing, some strains that have shown promise include Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus reuteri, and certain Bifidobacterium species. It’s essential to choose probiotic supplements specifically formulated for infants and to consult with a pediatrician before starting any new supplement regimen.

The Importance of Proper Oral Hygiene in Infants

Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial in preventing and managing oral thrush in infants. While babies don’t have teeth, caring for their oral health from an early age is important. Here are some tips for maintaining proper oral hygiene in infants:

• Gently clean the gums and tongue with a soft, damp cloth after each feeding
• Avoid putting the baby to bed with a bottle, as this can promote bacterial growth
• Introduce a soft infant toothbrush as soon as the first tooth appears
• Use water or a fluoride-free toothpaste specially formulated for infants

How often should you clean an infant’s mouth to prevent oral thrush? Ideally, you should clean your baby’s mouth after each feeding. This helps remove residual milk or formula that could serve as a food source for Candida.

The Connection Between Diaper Rash and Oral Thrush

Candida infections are not limited to the mouth; they can also cause diaper rash in infants. Understanding the connection between oral thrush and diaper rash is important for comprehensive care. Key points to consider include:

• Candida thrives in warm, moist environments, making the diaper area susceptible
• Infants with oral thrush may be more likely to develop Candida diaper rash
• Treatment may need to address both oral and diaper area infections simultaneously

Can oral thrush spread to cause diaper rash? Yes, the same Candida species that causes oral thrush can spread and cause a yeast diaper rash. This is why it’s important to practice good hygiene and change diapers frequently, especially when treating oral thrush.

The Role of Diet in Managing Oral Thrush

While dietary interventions are more relevant for older children and adults, the diet of breastfeeding mothers can indirectly affect their infants’ risk of oral thrush. Some dietary considerations include:

• Reducing sugar intake, as Candida thrives on sugar
• Incorporating probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and kefir
• Ensuring adequate intake of vitamins and minerals that support immune function

Can a mother’s diet influence the risk of oral thrush in her breastfed infant? While there’s no direct evidence, a balanced diet that supports the mother’s immune system and promotes a healthy gut microbiome may indirectly benefit the infant by reducing the risk of Candida overgrowth in the mother.

The Psychological Impact of Oral Thrush on Parents and Infants

Dealing with oral thrush in infants can be stressful for parents, and the discomfort can affect the baby’s mood and behavior. Understanding the psychological aspects can help in managing the condition more effectively:

• Parental anxiety about the baby’s health and comfort
• Stress related to changes in feeding routines
• Potential disruption of the bonding process during feeding
• Irritability in infants due to discomfort

How can parents manage stress while caring for an infant with oral thrush? It’s important for parents to seek support from healthcare providers, join support groups, and practice self-care. Remember that oral thrush is common and treatable, and with proper care, most infants recover fully.

Future Perspectives in Treating Infant Oral Thrush

Research into more effective and natural treatments for oral thrush in infants is ongoing. Some promising areas of study include:

• Development of probiotic formulations specifically targeting Candida infections
• Investigation of natural compounds with antifungal properties safe for infant use
• Improved diagnostic tools for early detection of oral thrush
• Personalized treatment approaches based on the infant’s microbiome

What new treatments for infant oral thrush might be available in the future? While it’s difficult to predict specific treatments, the trend is moving towards more natural, microbiome-friendly approaches that support the body’s own defenses against Candida overgrowth.

In conclusion, oral thrush in infants is a common condition that, while potentially uncomfortable, is generally manageable with proper care and treatment. By understanding the causes, recognizing the symptoms, and implementing appropriate preventive measures, parents can effectively navigate this common childhood ailment. Always consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice and treatment options, especially when considering natural remedies or if symptoms persist or worsen.

Oral thrush in babies: Causes, symptoms and treatments

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Thrush is a common infection in the mouth of infants. It is caused by a yeast like fungus, Candida albicans. It can be irritating but it is treatable.

It is normal to have yeast organisms on various parts of the body. Normally, they cause no symptoms. However, if there is more than usual, or of the immune system cannot cope with the levels, symptoms may occur.

Yeast, or Candida, can also appear in diaper rashes and rashes in other moist places, such as under the chin. It can affect the nipples of breast-feeding mothers. It can be very irritating but it is treatable.

Newborns can have symptoms of Candida at birth or soon after. Thrush often appears in the mouth in the first few weeks or months of life. If the nipples of a breast-feeding mother are affected, the infection may be passed on to the infant. It is not clear why some infants develop symtoms, while others do not.

Oral thrust is the most common oral fungal infection in infants and children. It is not usually serious, but it can be uncomfortable and it may cause difficulties with feeding. Treatment is available.

A small amount of the Candida fungus lives in the mouth most of the time. It is usually kept in check by the immune system and other types of germs that also normally live in the mouth.

However, when the immune system is weaker, the fungus can grow, leading to sores and lesions in the mouth and on the tongue.

Oral thrush may occur in babies because their immune systems have not yet matured. They are less able to resist infection.

An oral thrush infection can happen after treatment with antibiotics, because antibiotics reduce the levels of healthy bacteria in the mouth. This allows fungus to proliferate.

Symptoms can appear suddenly.

They may include:

• white patches on the roof of the mouth, inside the cheeks, and on the tongue
• under the white lesions, there may be red tissue that bleeds easily
• there may be redness around the patches
• the patches may be painful
• the corners of the mouth may crack
• patches of white that look like milk, but they cannot be wiped away

Without treatment, the lesions can slowly increase in number and size. Even with treatment, they can be hard to get rid of.

Many infants are not bothered by thrush, but they may be irritable, especially when feeding, if the mouth is sore.

A doctor will examine the infant, looking for telltale signs of thrush. Sometimes, they may take a swab or sample of infected tissue and look at it under a microscope. If there is evidence of Candida infection, the sample may be cultured to confirm the diagnosis.

If the physician diagnoses Candida, they will prescribe a suitable treatment.

Oral thrush in infants often disappears within 2 weeks, and parents or caregivers may be advised to monitor the infection, without using medication.

Sometimes, a doctor will prescribe drops or a gel that must be spread around the inside of the mouth, not just put on the tongue.

If the infant is breastfeeding, the mother’s nipples may need to be treated at the same time, to prevent the infection passing back and forth.

Since oral thrush may affect feedings, the pediatrician should be notified if symptoms persist.

Depending on the age of the infant, a doctor may suggest adding lactobacilli to the diet, in the form of yogurt. The lactobacilli are thought to provide “good” bacteria that may help get rid of the fungus. Supplements suitable for infants are available to purchase online.

Other remedies, such as grapefruit seed extract, coconut oil, gentian violet, tea tree oil, and baking soda have been suggested for treating oral thrush in infants.

However, grapefruit seed extract, for example, has been found to contain additional substances that may not be safe, even in adults. It has also not been proven effective for any condition.

Natural remedies still contain chemicals. It is important to discuss any type of remedy with a doctor before giving it to an infant.

If a woman develops a vaginal yeast infection during pregnancy, she should consult a doctor. If it does not go away, it may be passed to the newborn during delivery. Symptoms include vaginal itching and a cheesy white discharge.

Women who have nipple discharge or pain during breastfeeding should also notify their health provider, so they can be examined for a yeast infection in the nipples. This can also be transmitted to the mouth of a nursing infant.

While breastfeeding, use breastpads that do not have a plastic barrier, as this can encourage the growth of Candida.

Ensure that bottle nipples and pacifiers, if used, are sterile. Some studies have found that Candida is prevalent on pacifiers, especially latex pacifiers. However, they did not find a link between pacifier use and candida infection.

Thursh in Babies: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Think your baby has thrush? Here’s how to diagnose thrush in babies, treat it naturally, and even prevent it from reoccurring.

While it’s normal for infants to have white-coated tongues after feeding, how do we know for sure if these white bumps aren’t in fact oral thrush in babies? Here, we’ll show you how to spot thrush in babies, how to treat it naturally, and how to prevent it from recurring.

What Is Thrush in Babies?

Thrush, or oral candidiasis, is an accumulation of the fungus candida albicans in the mouth that causes white lesions, or sores, that look more like cottage cheese than the normal milky whiteness associated with babies’ milk tongue from breastmilk or formula.

This fungus is normally present in everyone’s mouth, but thrush in babies occurs more frequently in infants because of their weak immune systems.

Breastfeeding moms are at risk to get thrush too, since the infection can pass to mom’s breast (and oppositely, mom can pass it back to baby) and cause serious discomfort and pain.

Baby Thrush Symptoms

The key to identifying thrush in babies is by simply examining your baby’s mouth, cheeks, and tongue very carefully. And watch your baby’s eating habits closely.

Here’s what to look for:

• White lesions on child’s tongue and cheeks. These can be raised spots, a super thick coating, or overall tissue irritation
• Loss of appetite in baby
• Discomfort in baby while nursing

The lesions in baby’s mouth can cause pain and loss of taste, so it’s understandable that baby may be fussy.

[Image Source]

Thrush symptoms in breastfeeding moms

When thrush is passed to a nursing a mom, you might find that:

• Your nipples are unusually red, cracked, sensitive, or itchy
• You experience pain while nursing
• Your nipples feel sore between feedings

While all breastfeeding moms know nursing can be painful at times, pain from thrush is more intense, deeper than usual, and does not go away when your baby is done feeding. (source) Be sure to try this DIY nipple cream that greatly reduces nipple pain.

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What Causes Thrush in Babies?

The fungus or yeast that causes thrush is naturally occurring and prevalent in most people’s bodies. Thrush happens to many new moms and babies, though one study found it occurred less in homes where there was a furry pet, like a cat or dog. The good news, though: It is a common occurrence (especially in breastfed babies due to the warm moist area yeast likes) and is treatable.

Antibiotics

Our bodies, and our babies’ bodies, have a natural balance of microorganisms that keep us healthy. Bacteria sounds like a bad word, but there’s good bacteria and bad bacteria and antibiotics don’t discriminate. So, when mom or baby has to go on antibiotics, this disrupts the natural flora balance and makes us more susceptible to thrush. Luckily, there are so many wonderful ways to restore our balance, which we will talk about in the prevention section below. (source)

Weakened immune system

If neither you nor baby have been on antibiotics, there are other things that can weaken your immune system, such as illness, a poor diet, being exposed to harsh chemicals or just not getting enough sleep (very common with a newborn!). Check out this post for natural ways to boost your immune system.

Natural Thrush Treatments

If you go to your pediatrician, they will usually prescribe oral nystatin or fluconazole for you and baby. These are antifungal options that have been proven effective. But if you want to try to avoid these if possible, these are some excellent natural options. (Just be sure to get your doctor or pediatrician’s approval before using these natural remedies for thrush.)

1. Probiotics found in yogurt and breastmilk

If your baby is too young for yogurt there are safe probiotics for babies that you can look into. My doula recommended rubbing a serving of acidophilus powder on my nipple while breastfeeding, as this benefits both you and baby and your infected areas. You can make this DIY nipple cream that will give baby probiotics but also reduce your nipple pain dramatically.

2. Reducing sugar intake

If you are a nursing mom, reducing your sugar intake is essential, as a sugary diet can make symptoms worse (another reason why some moms and midwives are not fans of nystatin, which can contain sugar in order to make it palatable for infants, but it’s effectiveness is reduced in the process). (source) Focus on organic protein like eggs, chicken, beef, bison, turkey, wild caught fish and whole cultured dairy products. Add in tons of cooked organic vegetables in the form of soups, stews, or purees. Raw salads topped with homemade salad dressing with raw garlic are also excellent. Include small amounts of gluten-free grains like oats, millet and quinoa and plenty of healthy fats like butter, olive oil, avocado, and seeds. Keep fruit to only 1 serving per day of either green apple or grapefruit to keep sugars low. Check out these nourishing meals for a new mama for inspiration.

3. Grapefruit seed extract

Grapefruit seed extract mixed with distilled water is another way to combat the yeast causing thrush. (source) Grapefruit seed extract is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial compound made from the seeds and pulp of grapefruit. The recommended dosage is 10 drops of GSE (where to buy) mixed with one ounce of water, which is swabbed on mom’s sore nipples and baby’s tender mouth before nursing, just like the recommendation with probiotics.

4. Calendula extract

Pure calendula extract (where to buy) can be used to help eliminate thrush. Calendula extract can be used an alternative to gentian violet (which we’ll cover in the next section). Studies show that this herbal extract can inhibit yeast growth. (source)  Mamas can paint the extract on their nipples, but it’s also possible to paint the extract on your baby’s tongue too.

Tip: Always check with your pediatrician before administering any extracts or herbal preparations to your baby.

5. Take a peek at mama’s diet

In addition to reducing sugar intake, mama can infuse her diet with plenty of anti-fungal and anti-bacterial foods. This includes:

• Organic, whole yogurt. The tarter, the better!
• Garlic (Be sure to check out our pesto recipe)
• Oregano
• Onions
• Raw coconut oil
• Apple cider vinegar 

What About Gentian Violet?

Gentian violet is another popular natural remedy for thrush. In fact, when I was pregnant with Griffin, this was the go-to remedy, but should you use it?

It is an antiseptic dye used to treat a myriad of fungal infections. Despite the popularity of gentian violet, we can’t recommend this as a natural treatment for thrush for a few reasons.

The first concern that makes this remedy unpopular is the possible side-effect of increased swelling or soreness and the fact that it does turn your skin purple. Mamas who used gentian violent are quick to note purple nipples and a baby who looks like they rubbed their face in blackberries for a few days. (source) Purple staining is a nuisance, but that’s not the only issue with gentian violet.

Another (and more serious) problem with gentian violent is the potential carcinogen factor. Health Canada has issued warnings about gentian violent (source), and New Zealand dermatologists warn of potential for necrotic tissue. (source) Yikes!

For these reasons, it’s best to take a pass on gentian violet.

Preventing Baby Thrush

So, now that we know some ways to treat thrush in babies, what can we do to prevent it from happening in the first place? It’s all about supporting a natural flora balance in you and baby.

Some simple ways to do this include:

• Consider adding a good probiotic to your daily supplements. Just Thrive, BioKult and Prescript Assist are some of my favorites. (This is especially important if you or your baby ever have to take antibiotics.)
• Eliminate junk food, sugar and soda from your diet
• Keep your natural sugar intake low (even fruit). No more than 2-3 servings a day.
• Include antibacterial and antifungal foods regularly in your diet such as: garlic, herbs like thyme and oregano, raw coconut oil and butter, black cumin seed oil (where to buy), raw pumpkin seeds, etc.

How About You?

Did you or your baby have thrush? If you have any thrush remedies that worked for you, let us know in the comments below!

How to cure thrush at home?

Causes of vaginal candidiasis:

• weakening of the immune system;
• diabetes mellitus;
• violation of the microflora of the vagina;
• use of aromatic pads;
• taking antibiotics and hormonal drugs;
• childbearing period;
• wearing synthetic underwear;

Thrush symptoms:

• itching that worsens during sleep and after bathing;
• appearance of a curd-like discharge;
• pain during intercourse and while going to the toilet;

Treatment of vaginal candidiasis

If the above symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor and start treatment. If you skip the acute stage, then the thrush will become chronic, which is difficult to cure. It is not worth prescribing medications on your own, because then resistance of the fungus can develop.

In addition to medicines, you can also use traditional methods for treating thrush. They will help to quickly relieve symptoms and regulate the number of fungi:

1. Chamomile. This is a very common herb for the treatment of many diseases, which has an anti-inflammatory, antifungal effect, well heals microtraumas on the mucous membranes. For the treatment of thrush, a decoction for douching is prepared from chamomile inflorescences. For a liter of water, you need to take 2 tablespoons of dried flowers, boil and insist for 30 minutes. Strain the resulting broth and douche them 2 times a day;
2. Baking soda. It helps to cope with the symptoms of the disease and restore the normal microflora of the vagina. Take a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of warm water. This solution can be douched or washed away. And you can make a bath and sit in it for about half an hour;
3. Kalanchoe. You will need fresh juice of a medicinal plant. A tampon is soaked in it and inserted into the vagina for 2 hours. It is necessary to repeat the procedure in the morning and evening;
4. Honey. This bee product helps to cope with thrush. To prepare the solution, you need 1 tablespoon of honey per glass of water. A tampon can be soaked in this solution and left in the vagina overnight. And you can lubricate the mucous membrane;
5. Tar soap. Tar has an antibacterial and antifungal effect. It fights Candida very well. You need to use soap twice a day when washing;
6. Potassium permanganate. Potassium permanganate contains potassium permanganate, which has an antimicrobial effect. A solution of potassium permanganate is used when washing twice a day. With the dilution of manganese crystals, you need to be especially careful. The solution must be made slightly pink and monitor the complete dissolution of the agent, since burns may occur;
7. Sea buckthorn oil. The tool perfectly heals wounds, relieves the symptoms of thrush, fights fungi. It is necessary to soak a tampon in oil and insert it into the vagina, leave it overnight;

You can ask questions about thrush to our doctors online. For the prevention of thrush, it is recommended to visit a gynecologist at least once a year.

Always consult your doctor before using any traditional medicine prescriptions or medications. For the prevention of thrush, it is recommended to visit a gynecologist at least once a year.

There are contraindications. Specialist consultation is required.

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Let’s cope with thrush without medicinal methods

In the press, on television, in outdoor advertising, advertising of various drugs against an unpleasant fungal disease – thrush quite often slips through. However, the expectant or nursing mother is afraid to take medications, although it is “in position” and after childbirth that the thrush attacks the female body especially aggressively. Are there other ways to deal with this disease?

Where do mushrooms come from?

Thrush is a fungal disease caused by the fact that candida fungi begin to multiply actively on the mucous membranes of a person. If a person is completely healthy, the presence of these fungi in the body does not cause concern – the immune system keeps them in check. However, during pregnancy, a heavy burden falls on the body, and the immune response can fail. This may be due to both hormonal processes and the fact that the immune system is weakened by the fight against a viral infection.

Symptoms of thrush are known to many: cheesy discharge, sometimes very abundant, which is often accompanied by itching and burning in the perineum. (It happens that fungi also affect other organs, such as the oral mucosa, and then you have to deal with the symptoms of stomatitis).

In addition to diseases and specific hormonal disorders of pregnant and lactating women, which are difficult to influence without the help of a doctor, the reasons for the increased growth of fungal colonies in the body can be ignorance, our bad habits, and sometimes even simple laziness. The first reason on this list is ill-conceived nutrition. Fungi have a “lip is not a fool” – most of all they love flour and sweets. That is, the features of immunity, metabolism and the functioning of the excretory system of a person who eats unhealthy food work for the fungus.

The second reason is shortcomings in personal hygiene. The fungus loves moisture very much, and we often help it with this. How? Very simple! Beautiful synthetic underwear does not remove sweat from the body, does not allow secretions to dry quickly – and in such a “greenhouse” fungi multiply quickly. Disposable “everyday” pads that we wear, embarrassed by secretions and their smell, also interfere with air circulation and increase humidity. Particularly harmful are the air-tight pads that women use during critical days or with lochia after childbirth. After all, most of the pads that are actively advertised now do not “leave the skin dry and clean” at all, but turn the liquid into a gel and help fungi multiply and multiply.

The third reason is the notorious “chemistry”, all kinds of fragrances, detergents and preservatives. For example, the same pads quite often contain harmful substances with which the manufacturer flavored the pad. No less harmful to a weak mucosa can be panties that are poorly rinsed or washed with an inappropriate powder for you.

The fourth reason is the stagnation of blood in the small pelvis. A sedentary lifestyle, restrictions on sexual life and active movements that pregnancy and childbirth impose on a woman – all this leads to congestion in organs and tissues. And where the blood supply worsens, fungi live better there.

Is thrush dangerous?

Unfortunately, yes. Chronic thrush can conquer more and more expanses of your body and harm many organs, complicate breastfeeding, and the baby can become infected with it, passing through the birth canal.

How to be?

How to be, if it is impossible to put up with thrush, and one does not raise one’s hand to “poison” oneself with potent medicines? It is best to spend energy on the prevention and treatment of thrush in the early stages, in order to prevent a severe form when you can’t think of anything else.

Purchase cotton underwear (preferably white), wash it to get rid of the “chemistry” that inevitably resides in the fabric and wear without pads unless critical days require it. If necessary, change the linen more than once a day, wash it in a machine with a boiling mode and a minimum of detergent – it is best to use special eco-powders and gels or children’s washing powder. In the rinse cycle, run the machine twice. At home, if possible, go without underwear in a skirt or bathrobe, for better air circulation.

Use cellulose pads on critical days. There are cheap domestic ones, there are more expensive imported ones. The main thing is to change them as often as possible. Adjust your nutrition. Minimize “empty” carbohydrates, foods that contain a lot of sugar, yeast, or ferment when cooked (beer, wine, muffins, desserts, etc.). Beware of old cheese, raw mushrooms, chocolate, dried fruits, honey, nut pastes, pickles and marinades, potatoes, soy sauce, vinegar. Reduce milk intake – leave only low-fat sour-milk products.

Drink green tea 3-4 times a day – this can help cleanse the body of excess yeast. There should be more vegetables and fruits on your table. Eat fish, gluten-free grains (brown rice, millet, buckwheat), avoid foods containing gluten (wheat, rye, barley, semolina and pasta, oats). Consume dietary supplements that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria.

If the desired balance in the body has already been disturbed, you can, after consulting with your doctor, try to help yourself with long-known home remedies. The most famous of these is douching with apple cider vinegar (2 tablespoons per liter of water, 2-4 times a day). At night, you can also put “garlic candles” (a clove of garlic is peeled from the upper rough shell, so as not to damage the clove itself, and is placed in the vagina). The effect is noticeable after 3 days. It is also useful to make baths for the perineum: with a decoction of oak bark, calendula, yarrow, rosemary (3 tablespoons of a decoction according to a standard recipe for each liter of water, sit in a warm bath for 15-20 minutes). Take inside bifidobacteria and put tampons with them, as well as treatment of concomitant viral infection.

For breastfeeding mothers

A symptom of thrush in a breastfeeding mother can be severe burning pain on the surface of the nipples or deep inside the breast. Unlike the pain of nipple cracks and mastitis, which gradually subsides while the baby suckles, this pain lasts throughout the feeding, continues immediately after it, and sometimes persists between feedings. Sometimes a sharp, shooting pain radiates from the nipple to the chest, back, or arm. All this is accompanied by increased sensitivity of the nipples, itching. If you are sure that the cause of the pain is not improper attachment or lactostasis, and you do not suffer from eczema, herpes or psoriasis, then it is most likely that you have thrush. Tests will help to confirm the diagnosis.

Warning: You don’t have to stop breastfeeding at all. To treat thrush in a child’s mouth, your doctor may prescribe special antifungal drops. You also need to follow the rules of hygiene when feeding: wash your hands often, cool your breasts carefully before feeding to reduce pain, as a last resort, express milk and feed your baby with a spoon.