Is this thrush?

[DaisyNightingale]

I've had a painful nipple when DD is feeding for over a week now. As a martyr to blocked ducts I've been vigilant for that, but things seem OK in that department. This afternoon/evening, my nipple has been incredibly itchy and the pain is much worse when she has been feeding. My nipple looks a bit pinkish and inflamed, but that's probably because I've been scratting at it

I did have deep tissue thrush when she was 10ish weeks old, but had all the right treatments (including fluconazole tablets) and it cleared up. That time I had no nipple symptoms, just the deep breast pain after feeding.

This seems very different, with the pain (and intense itching ) predominantly during a feed.

...just when I thought I was out of the woods.

bump

I got thrush ovr and over when feeding the boys each time Dh popped to the chemist and bought a one dose thrush capsule and I found that it cleared in 24-36 hours. I know this doesn't answer your question but it couldn't hurt to get a tablet tomorrow and see if it helps?

Sounds like thrush to me. Did you treat dd after the last bout? You could be passing it back and forth. Oh the joys!

I put some canesten on and the itching has calmed down, so looks like that answers my question!

We were both treated the last time, but looking at dates I think I can see a pattern;

I has antibiotics for a wound infection at 2 weeks, and at 12 weeks I had thrush.

I had mastitis at 15 weeks for which I had a course of antibiotics, and now at nearly 25 weeks I'm getting thrush symptoms again.

Maybe coincidence, maybe not?

Not a co-incidence. I had routine antibiots after cs and got thrush from those.

Ooh How awful for you.
The only way I can describe it was itching inside my nipples.
That's how it felt and they were pink like you describe.

It is blardy painful... I had it when Dd was about 12 weeks. I didnt have itching, just horrendous pain during the feed, then worse as she stopped. my skin was hanging off too...

We were both treated. With miconizole and nystatin. I font think that fluconozole is licensed for use when breas tfeeding. But might be wrong. I think miconizole creams for both is much safer and preferred...

I also was really vigilant about washing my bras in hot water. and religious about applying the cream after feeds and giving DD nystatin. It cleared up in a week or so... I pray it never comes back.

Good luck

shitey shitey shite...and here was I all smug and complacent the other day thinking that after my last blocked duct at 19 weeks I'd out my BFing worries behind me.

Best get the prescription for fluconazole on Monday.

Can I feed DD with canesten on my nips, or do i need to wash it off forst? I've got some daktarin gel left over from last time, but it's so icky sticky.

susie, it isn't licensed but the NCT and Breastfeeding Network recommend it as there is no clinical evidence that it can't be used. You just need to get a sympathetic doctor on your side. Luckily I have one of those at my practice.

i took diflucan when breastfeeding both my children. is that fluconazole (sorry, too tired to google). you need nystatin drops for the baby. such a hassle, & so sore. hope it's sorted soon.

Well, I got some 150mg fluconazole tablets from the chemist last night, and have taken one last night and one today, and things are feeling better already.

I need to get to the docs tomorrow to get some lower dose ones for the next 10 days and some nystatin for DD.

I can't believe what a klutz I've been, ignoring a mild pain I've had for a couple of weeks now, thinking it was blocked ducts again.

Now, someone on another thread mentioned using Citricidal for soaking bras/nappies to kill off the fungus as washing alone doesn't do it. Anyone know where I can get some?

Think I have it too. Does anyone know if I can leave Canesten or Daktarin on nips or does it need to be washed off?

hi lyndiloo; sorry about your thrush, it's miserable . I know that you can leave daktarin on (if it's the oral gel, as that was what I was prescribed for my boobs last time) but I think you'd need to wash the canesten off before a feed.

lyndyloo i put some nystatin cream on my nipples and just left it overnight. DS fed fine from them the next morning he was not bothered by the taste. i am not sure if you can do the same with canestan tho. might have to look that up.

if i had known sooner what this was i would have treated it more promptly. just thought a bit of mild pain was normal