Treatment for Nipple Thrush

Not all cases of thrush in the nipples and breast need treatment, even if your baby has been diagnosed with oral thrush and you are still breastfeeding, it sometimes unnecessary. This is only the case, however, if you are not experiencing any symptoms. This is because the infection is obviously not causing you or your baby any trouble, and is not affecting the breastfeeding.

If you are suffering from symptoms of thrush in the nipples or breasts, then it is advised to visit your doctor. Your doctor will be able to examine you and your baby and prescribe the best medication for your case individually. Some of the medicines usually prescribed include antifungal creams and gels. One of the many common antifungal creams prescribed is Miconazole.  This cream is applied to your nipples after every time you breastfeed. If there is any excess by the time the next feed arrives, you should make sure to wipe off any of the remaining product before you feed your baby.


In some cases, the thrush infection can be a lot more severe. This includes an infection that has gone further than just the nipples, and into your breast, possibly spreading to the milk ducts. If you are suffering from a more severe case of thrush in the nipples and breasts, you should still not be excessively worried. Your doctor may prescribe a course of antifungal tablets, and you should be back to normal in no time.

If you have developed the infection from your baby, your doctor will usually also treat your baby at the same time as you. This is reduce the risk of re-infection, and to ensure that your treatment will ultimately be successful. It is important that you see a medical professional for treatments, as although there are an abundance of natural remedies that are rumoured to work, it is not a guaranteed cure. If you are experiencing pain in your breasts it could also indicate a different medical issue, so is also important for this reason to get checked out by your doctor.

If the infection does not clear up as recommended by the medication you have been given, make sure that you visit your doctor again, who should be able to recommend an alternative treatment and investigate why the original treatment did not work.

If you have thrush and you are pregnant then it is important to visit your doctor as opposed to buying over the counter thrush treatments from a pharmacy. Even if you have experienced thrush numerous times and know the symptoms and treatment that you usually go for, you should seek medical advice first. This is because some thrush medications can affect your pregnancy or baby. The most effective treatments to be used during pregnancy or whilst you are breastfeeding are pessaries. You may need to take extra caution when inserting the medication, as there is the possibility of injuring your cervix. Your doctor should be able to best advise you on how to administer the medication without risk, and may advise you insert the pessary by hand. Anti-thrush medication when you are pregnant are sometimes required to be taken over a longer period of time than usual. This is usually within around 7 days in total.

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