Thrush after episiotomy, will not go!

[MochiBean]

Does anyone have any tried and tested tips for cleaning severe thrush?

I'm currently trying to heal from a broken down episiotomy and 2nd degree tear (no stitches anymore just an open wound).

I've had nasty thrush for 3 weeks so far, had a tablet for the past 3 weeks and have been using the cream for the past week but no improvement

I can't use the pessaries due to the fact that my cut from the episiotomy is still open...

[chloechloe]

Ouch you poor thing, that sounds awful.

Are you eating more sugar than usual? I had thrush after each birth too and my MW said cutting back on sugar can help. In my case I was definitely eating more than usual as I was tired and ravenous from BFing. Might be worth a try?

[MochiBean]

Thanks @chloechloe - possibly as I can barely walk let alone cook food [santa] I had gestational diabetes while pregnant so I shall try going back to that diet for a bit to see if it helps!

[wwwwwwwwwwwwww]

Poor you I found getting as much air as possible to my genitals once the bleeding subsided and I could helped.

[Angelmiracle]

I used white vinegar in the bath which does relieve it but not sure what that's like on an open wound. It is awful!

[gamerchick]

Are you sure it's thrush? Have you had it swabbed?

[MochiBean]

Thank you all!

Yes @gamerchick my gynae consultant confirmed it's thrush when they did my silver nitrate treatment last week. I did get some antibiotics from a GP beforehand who thought it might be bacterial, but they didn't work (in hindsight they probably made it worse ) .

[Rosesared]

Calendula! If you have a herbalist near you ask for calendula and how to use it. I had thrush on my nipples from breastfeeding and made my own ointment. Cleared it up in a couple days. Not the same as "down there" but it's essentially the same thing. Maybe you can put calendula oil on a pad, or in your bath or sommat. Calendula flower is an amazing remedy! And I second cutting out sugar. Thrush loooves sugar. You could also try natural yogurt on a pad, but not sure about yogurt and open wounds though....maybe not.

[Canders]

Speak to your doctor and get it tested just to be sure. If it's thrush, they may put you on a longer treatment of the oral capsules. Best to get this arranged with the doctors though as self medicating with the oral capsules for too long can cause liver problems.

[Fairylea]

Have you tried the oral thrush capsule? It’s the blue tablet from canestan, you can buy it from boots etc or get their own brand. It’s the only thing that ever clears it for me.

[Fairylea]

Sorry just seen you’ve tried tablets I’m assuming they’re probably the same thing. You can take a much longer course under your gp though, some need a lower dose for 6 months daily.

[MochiBean]

Thank you so much for your replies!
My GP gave me a longer weekly course of the oral tablets, and my gynaecologist has prescribed be the steroid cream. It's still there but seems to be improving at least x

[HoustonBess]

Easier said than done with a newborn but if you can avoid yeasty, bready, sugary things and eat a healthy diet it will help - veg stews etc.

Thrush is an imbalance in bacteria that are always present, so it's not like you need to kill them all, just help your body get well enough to reassert the balance!

I find a peeled garlic clove up the wanny overnight sorts it out more cheaply and quickly than any over the counter medicines, but probably not best advised if you've just given birth! You could try eating extra garlic?