To learn more about mycosis, read the previous part, Fungal Infections and Breastfeeding (Mycosis).
First, there are many treatments for mycosis. You can start with non-pharmacological ones. But to quickly eliminate the infection, we often combine natural measures with antifungal treatments.
Natural Treatments
- You have to deal with the potential cause of mycosis. If the breasts are injured, you have to change latching positions and heal the nipples. It’s also essential to make sure you clean your hand several times a day. You also need to boil the nipples and pacifiers for at least 10 minutes every day.
- Because there may be intestinal microbiota changes, the mother may want to take probiotics to help reconstruct her protective intestinal flora.
- The grapefruit seed extract is an effective natural product. It’s a potent liquid antiseptic that acts on bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeasts. This product is sold in some pharmacies and natural product stores. You need to read the posology to use it correctly.
- Finally, the mother needs to have a very balanced reduced sugar diet.
Antifungal Treatments
To get rid of the mycosis infection as quickly as possible, you can use antifungal products. Avoid gentian violet once recommended linked to cancer risks.
Many other products can be used to treat mycosis, either in cream or suspension form. These include nystatin, Canesten®, or MONISTAT® for at least 7 consecutive days. This may extend to 14 days if you use Jack Newman cream. The latter combines three types of creams: anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal. It’s a good choice, but it needs to be prescribed. Before choosing a treatment, talk to your health professional.
If the treatment choices you make don’t reduce the mycosis (mother or baby), the doctor can treat using an appropriate oral medication (fluconazole). The mother can continue with the non-pharmacological measures she is taking.
Don’t confuse vaginitis (fungal infection) with vaginosis. The latter is a bacterial infection characterised vaginal discharge that is grayish, acidic and smells like rotten eggs (often occurs in pregnant women). You have to treat this infection, as it can lead to premature labour, water breaking before term or postnatal infections. That’s why Health Canada and The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada recommend screening for vaginosis between the 16th and 20th week of pregnancy if the mother had a premature baby in the past.
After reading this article, I hope you have learned more about fungal infections, causes and treatments. You will now be able to identify these infections to help your breastfeeding experience be a great one.
Talk soon,
Marie
The Baby Expert
This post was written with the collaboration of Probaclac.
