Thrush on Nipples - Daktarin Cream or Gel?

[Elmo5]

I have had painful nipples since the first few weeks after starting breastfeeding. They sting and burn after feeding mostly on just one side. One side is also cracked and won't heal no matter how much lansinoh I apply.

As there are no visible symptoms in the LO I kept putting it down to poor attachment. Although I read on the NHS website that excessive saliva/dribble can be a sign which she has.

Finally I have realised there is something wrong and went to the doctors this morning. I have been prescribed Daktarin Oral Gel to apply to the Nipples, and told no need to apply anything to the LO mouth as she will suck it off the nipple.

However I have just sat down and read this leaflet https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/pdfs/BfN_Thrush_leaflet_Feb_2009.pdf

and it says the gel does not work on the nipples as it is not designed to penetrate and it says I need the cream.

I don't really want to go back to the doctors to point out I have been prescribed the wrong stuff, is the daktarin athlete foot cream you can buy over the counter the same stuff? As I can just go purchase some of that?

Anyone any experience?

Also if I can get some over the counter.

I assume I apply the cream but have to wash it off at each feed? How well does it need to be washed?
How is it best to apply the gel to LO as I notice it says there is risk of choking on the instructions?
Do I need to wash down all her toys to prevent re-infection? She constantly sucks everything and anything.

 

[Nervous_1]

Put about half a teasponns worth of gel onto a spoon and then use a clean finger to wipe it all around her mouth. They only say it's a choking hazard so that they can have an over the counter licence - you'd need to tip the whole tube in at once for them to choke!

The gel won't work on your nipples, you need the cream. I don't think it's an athlete's foot cream though! Ask the chemist for the cream version of the gel You do need to wash it off before a feed. You could also go back to the doctor and ask for fluconazole tablets if you find the cream doesn't work, but some doctors don't like to prescribe it so be prepared to do battle!

Another thing you could try is Acidophilus which you can buy from Holland & Barrett (a health food shop). It helps to get rid of thrush and guard against it coming back. I take it religiously everyday after a horrendous battle with thrush. I think it was this that finally cleared it for me!

 

[Doodlepants]

I don't know much about the cream but I had the gel and it worked for me- it went really quickly- I didn't have it very badly though so maybe that's why?

Hope you feel better soon xx

 

[claire-lou]

It is a different cream, we were told by both GP and MW that it didn't need washing off before feed so I never did

Baby will need treating too as you will pass it back and forth, so as Nervous said wipes it around babies mouth 4 times aday

I took a copy of the leaflet you have linked to the GP with me, as our breastfeeding councillor told me I may have to fight for the daktarin oral gel for baby.

We also had a second bout of thrush and so started taking the Acidophilus as recommended by the breastfeeding network

 

[Elmo5]

Thanks for the replies. I have just been out to Holland and Barrett and got some Acidophilus. Nearly £10 a bottle, yowsers.

I also went back to the Doctors/Pharmacist with the leaflet. The pharmarcist nipped into check with the doctor and they said the reason why I was prescribed the gel is to make it easier for me as I don't need to wipe it off for baby before feeding and the application of the gel on me will also transfer to her. However if it doesn't work in a few days time to come back and I can have the cream. So I will try the gel first.

 

[Katt]

https://www.blackwellpublishing.com/medicine/bmj/nnf5/pdfs/comment/miconazole.pdf

Some info for on the use of miconozole gel. It should not be applied to nipples to treat mother, it is completely useless. It is not advised to have it on your nipples while feeding lo due to the potential risk of choking.

It is safe, and the best choice, to use on lo but make sure you apply it correctly.

As for you, get the cream. The athletes foot stuff is the same, just different packaging.

I hope it clears quick for you x

 

[Elmo5]

Thanks, I have now just been reading that the gel can cause blocked ducts too which I dont want so have just been for a shower and will stop using it. Looks like I will have to go source the cream myself.

 

[Elmo5]

Got the cream. I had a chat with my health visitor and she prescribed some for me.

However should I be washing it off? Cream instructions say to wash it off, Breastfeeding Network Leaflet says no need as long as the cream has soaked in and washing all time could make it worse.

I just seem a bit wary of not washing it off - anyone used it before? Did you wash or not bother?

 

[summer rain]

They used to say wash it off; but nowadays they say wipe it off AFAIK; you could wipe it off with a slightly damp tissue if worried

 

[Emmea12uk]

I used the gel in my lo's mouth on my nipples and I did nothing for me. The thrush went in to ducts very quickly and was agonizing! I did battle with four doctors and finally got some fluconozole tabs. Although after reading the Bfnetwork leaflet my dose is too low and not long enough.

Be warned though that it may all turn into mastitis. Mine did! Get treatment quick if it does.

 

[numb3rthree]

ive had thrush twice and each time ive used daktarin cream for me and nystatin drops for ds.

you can buy the daktarin over the counter. i was advised towash it off before a feed.

x

 

[Elmo5]

Just to update this. Been using the cream since Tuesday afternoon now. Since yesterday I haven't been washing it off as per the leaflet instructions, just making sure there is no visible cream remaining. Also been using a small amount of gel to smear around LO mouth approx 4 times a day.

The cracking on my nipples seems to be healing up. 13+ weeks of cracked nipples slowly dissapearing - Woohoo! I had a shock in the mirror as well as my nipples no longer appear an angry red shiny colour. I had not realised that they shouldn't be that colour whilst breastfeeding.

Other than that still painful towards the end of a feed (although not as much) and they still itch like mad in between feeds.

I am still keeping my fingers crossed that the cause of all these weeks of pain has been found and we are on the home straight for eradicating it.

 

[deafgal]

after many months of tears, my breast toughened and can put up all sort of abuse LOL

If you are interested in using something natural: try rubbing it with yogurt (preferably plain as sugar is not good for any type of yeast infection) that have active live culture

 

[Jenni4]

I saw my lactation consultant for thrush and she simply said to wash my nipples after each feed with white vinegar and water. 1 capful to 250ml of water. Seems to have done the trick, my nipples are back to normal, no longer bright pink and painful. Just a home remedy for those wanting to stay away from medications!