Barbara Wilson-Clay asked me to post to the list about my experience with
clearing up thrush with help from a dermatologist.

My daughter is 18 months old and still nursing.  I have had extremely
painful thrush almost the entire time I've been nursing.  I've consulted
numerous lactation consultants, La Leche League leaders, doctors, midwives,
and alternative practitioners in attempts to clear up the thrush.  I have
tried just about every remedy imaginable to clear up the thrush, including a
couple of rounds of diflucan and constant vigilant cleanliness.  Treatment
often clears the thrush up temporarily, but it comes back as soon as the
treatment stops.

Barbara is the only person I have talked to who recommends seeing a
dermatologist for persistent thrush.  I finally got the thrush under control
after seeing a dermatologist whom Barbara had recommended to a friend of
mine.

The first dermatologist I talked to said it wasn't possible to have yeast on
my breasts, as yeast only grows in damp areas.  Ha!  Thankfully Barbara knew
which dermatologists were educated about thrush.

The dermatologist diagnosed eczema in addition to yeast.  I applied a
topical antifungal along with oral diflucan for about 2 weeks.  Then I
applied a topical steroid cream for about 2 weeks.  My daughter also took
the pediatric liquid oral diflucan.

Once the eczema was cleared up, after just a few days of the steroid cream,
nursing was MUCH less painful.  The yeast is now confined to just my
nipples, no longer on the areola, and sometimes it seems to go away
completely for a few days and then comes back.  I don't think it will go
away forever until I stop breastfeeding.

The dermatologist also prescribed that Dr. Smith's diaper cream as a
preventative.  It works wonders.  When I forget to use it or get busy, the
thrush flares up again.

I hope this information is helpful to someone.

Darien Wilson
Austin, Texas

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