Candida

When you are breastfeeding, your nipples may become chapped and sore from the baby's suckling. Between the baby's saliva, your own milk production, and the breaks in your chapped skin, the area around your nipples can become a very friendly environment for candida.

Doctors aren't completely sure how common candida infections are. It may appear along with bacteria which can also cause infection and pain. However, antifungal treatments do seem to help many breastfeeding women with nipple irritation and pain. This article shares the most common thinking about these infections.

How to Tell if You Have a Candida Infection

It's normal to have some discomfort with breastfeeding, especially at the beginning. Your nipples are sensitive, so it can take a while to adjust to the baby's feeding. But, sometimes a woman will develop severe tenderness that doesn't go away with the usual remedies. This can be caused by a bacterial infection. It may also be caused by candida.

The most common symptoms are:

• Very sore nipples, with burning, itching, or redness
• Shooting pains in the breasts during feeding
• A sudden increase in nipple soreness, or nipple pain that is new
• Shiny or flaky skin around your nipples

Other hints that your pain may be caused by candida:

• You've recently taken antibiotics. Fungal infections sometimes follow antibiotic treatments, because the antibiotics also kill good bacteria.
• Your baby has thrush. Check your baby's mouth for white patches that signal thrush, a candida infection of the baby's mouth. Thrush is common in young babies and the infection easily passed back and forth between mother and baby. Also check for diaper rash, which can be caused by candida.

Treatment

If you think you have a candida infection, you should talk with your doctor. Breast pain can also be caused by bacterial infections, which require different treatment.

Your doctor will probably recommend an anti-fungal cream, available either over-the-counter or by prescription. You may also be given pills with anti-fungal medication. Expect to be told to treat your baby for thrush, too, even if you can't see any white patches in the baby's mouth. The doctor will prescribe a liquid solution or gel to be applied to the baby's mouth and tongue.

Some doctors also recommend taking acidophilus. Acidophilus is a bacteria which may help to prevent the overgrowth of candida. It is found in some yogurts and also available over the counter in capsules. Reducing sugar intake and applying a vinegar and water solution to the nipples are popular home remedies, although there are no medical studies that support these treatments.

About Gentian Violet

Gentian violet, a purple dye, used to be a common remedy. Today, it's generally recommended only when other treatments haven't worked. The dye must be painted on the affected skin, and it can stain the skin and any clothing that it touches. If used frequently, it can cause irritation or even ulcers in baby's mouth.

One medical study, using large amounts of gentian violet in rats, found that it could cause cancer. Although cancer from gentian violet has not been observed in humans, some doctors choose not to recommend it for this reason.

Breastfeeding When You Have an Infection

It's important to continue breastfeeding, or at least to continue pumping, even though it can be painful. If milk backs up in your breast, the infection can get worse. You could also develop a bacterial infection called mastitis.

If your infection is severe, ask your doctor if it is safe to continue breastfeeding, or if you should temporarily switch to formula.

Prevention

The best way to prevent candida infections is to avoid creating a comfortable environment for it to grow.

Some things to try:

• After breastfeeding, be sure your nipples are dry before putting on your bra.
• Change nursing pads after feedings and whenever they become moist.
• Don't use plastic-lined nursing bras or pads.
• Wear cotton bras and wash them in very hot water between uses.
• Wash towels and garments that come in contact with your breasts after every use. Use hot water.
• If you use a breast pump, wash the parts that come into contact with your breasts after each use. Boil them or use a diluted bleach solution (about one part bleach to nine parts water) in addition to soap and hot water. Rinse thoroughly and allow the parts to air-dry.