Persistent Thrush on the Tongue

Updated on February 16, 2009
K.D. asks from Eugene, OR
18 answers

My 18 month old has had a persistent thrush on her tongue. It is starting to really bother her. I have tried all sorts alternative methods such as apple cider vinegar, but it works for a little while then comes back. She is still breastfeeding and I think we pass it back and forth to one another. Anyone have some solid cures? Thanks so much.

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So What Happened?

Thank you so very much for all your responses. I read through all of them and found that the best cure so far - that is working - is eating yogurt everyday. I eat some and give some to her each day. The thrush seems to be gone. Whew. Thanks for your help!

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D.T.

answers from Portland on

My kids are older, so it has been awhile. But I remember taking them to the doctor to get an antibotic.

1 mom found this helpful

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H.S.

answers from Portland on

Have you tried Gentian Violet? One thing about thrush is that it is everywhere. Clean everything that goes in her mouth, pacifiers, toys etc... you also have to treat yourself too, wear a clean bra everyday and use a clean towel.

You can also adjust your diet, just until it's gone. Eat less sugar and take acidophilus.

http://www.drjacknewman.com/help/Candida-Protocol.asp
http://www.drjacknewman.com/help/Gentian%20Violet.asp

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H.A.

answers from Portland on

Antibiotics won't do anything for thrush - it's yeast, not a bacteria. The prescriptions don't always work for persistent cases.

What worked for us is gentian violet. It's the old-fashioned treatment, and is out of favor now because it's messy. It stains baby's mouth and your nipples purple temporarily, and will stain clothing permanently. Go to this Web site for info: http://www.bflrc.com/newman/breastfeeding/gentviol.htm

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K.G.

answers from Seattle on

You could both go to the doctor to get checked out and both be on meds at the same time to make sure you both get cured and stop passing it back and forth. Another thing is try to eat some yogurt after you are infection free to keep it from returning. Also make sure you are getting enough "air time" so bacteria can't take a hold under and around your breasts. Good luck, I would say the last alternative would be to pump for a while to see if that breaks the cycle too.

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J.O.

answers from Portland on

We had the same problem of passing it back and forth. What finally did it for us is pro-biotics. You can get it in yogurt or pills or chewable for you and it comes in a powder or chewable for toddlers. Any "health food store" or "health food section" of a market should carry it. You CANNOT overdose on it but you do have to commit to taking it for about three months or so because it is a holistic cure that works with your bodies natural functions.

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K.M.

answers from Richland on

Have you seen DR? You are right, you are passing it back and forth. You need to take something like Diflucan and your daughter needs the liquid Nystatin. Since you are nursing you need to clean your nipples before and after nursing. There is also a cream you can get prescribed to put on your nipples for a nursing yeast infection, but I forget the name. Please seen your DR. You will get relief, results, & stop the yeast infection cycle.

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T.R.

answers from Seattle on

The purple stuff would work but will make a mess and take a while. The best stuff that Naturopaths give is for you to take PROBIOTICS and I promise both of you will be cured in three days. You can find it at any health food store or here in the Seattle are Super Supplements is a great place to get it. They are 1-billion live bacteria you take by mouth once a day and it is the size of a pearl and it will go into your GI tract and balance out your system and will also balance out your milk and you both will be taken care of. Please try it.. all my girlfriend who had tried the venetion purple hated me when I finally gave them the Probiotics and it was much easier and faster and worked!

Good Luck!
T.

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D.T.

answers from Seattle on

Hi,

My daughter and I passed thrush back and forth when she was a newborn. She was giving nystatin (sp??) and it worked for her but it didn't seem to cure me. I started using straight vinegar in the shower on my breasts with as soft tooth brush and that seemed to break the cycle.

Good luck

D.

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A.K.

answers from Anchorage on

Have you tried Gentian Violet? It's been a couple of years so I'm not positive about the spelling. It's found in natural health food stores and worked wonders on my little one and me. But, side note, it is very messy! Her whole mouth and anything else it touches will turn bright purple.
Good luck- I remember how frustrating thrush can be!

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W.C.

answers from Seattle on

Take her to the doc. They have a simple and quick cure. The thing with thrush on the tongue is that she probably has it else where. Put all her toys that go in her mouth in the dishwasher. Wash everything down with hot soapy water. Not bleach or pinesol.

When my friend's son had thrush her doc said to give him coke or ginger ale because the bubbles help. Now that they have "pop" in the health food stores that is good for you, you could try that to make her feel better.

Also go to Supper Supplements and ask for help.

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C.P.

answers from Bellingham on

When my son got thrush the doctor gave him nystatin to take orally and you are right most likely you are passing it back and forth so he may give you something to put on your nipples

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D.W.

answers from Portland on

Hello K.;

My dauhgter had the same problem and I used Gentian Violet. It is all natural and works unbelievably well. You can find it at whole foods or New Seasons. Be very careful as it stains like ink.

Good luck

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R.W.

answers from Portland on

We also used Gentian violet. It is messy and is stains. However, it really does work!
Good luck!

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I.G.

answers from Seattle on

Hello K.,

Unless the thrush is severe or bothers her, there really is no reason to treat it with systemic drugs like diflucan.

For topical treatment you can get Nystatin from your Doctor, just put a bit on your breast as well, when you treat her with it.

If you want to try home remedies a bit longer, I have successfully used citrus soda (like sprite just make sure it's caffeine free)you can shake out the bubbles a bit if your baby doesn't like them - a few ounces in a sippy once a day until it's gone. A little bit of soda won't harm their teeth if it's a one time thing.
Also you will want to feed her lot's of yogurt with live cultures.

If you're unsure speak to your doctor...

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M.B.

answers from Portland on

try this stuff that is violet in a bottle I do not remember the name but you can ask the pharmacy. I hae used it and it has done the trick yo can use it on you too!

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B.A.

answers from Portland on

Gentian violet - paint it onto your breast before you feed.
There is a lot of research on the net for it. My doctor recommended it to me, and while it was bizarre seeing my daughter with a bright purple mouth, it worked.

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L.T.

answers from Portland on

K.,
I am not sure about the whole staining purple stuff that everyone else has talked about. When my son was nursing I had the same problem...I am prone to overactive yeast issues though, and so is my son. The solution for us was actually kind of nice (it helped with weight loss and with the yeast issues). I ate yogurt 2-3 times a day and took an additional acidophilus pill in the mornings. This was recommended by my doctor at the time, so I would still discuss with your doctor regarding the dosage...you don't want to overdose on acidophilus. I found the acidophilus pills in the refrigerated section of the natural foods section of my local grocery store (Fred Meyer for me, not sure where you are or where you shop).

I have to admit, my son seemed to clear up right along with me since he was nursing and the live cultures would come across through my milk. Just remember to get yogurt that says "live cultures" on the label.

Good luck, and be careful...you will want to take care of this quickly or it can lead to other complications in breastfeeding. I ended up with mastitis which is VERY painful.

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