Help For Breastfeeding Mums On Applying Olive Oil For Thrush

By Dorothy McLellan


Some people advise using olive oil for thrush as a natural means of dealing with the condition, especially for new mothers who are breastfeeding their infants. Sore nipples are often an unfortunate side effect of nursing babies, and this can be caused by a fungal infection. Candida is usually at the root of the condition, and olive oil is one natural way of treating the condition whilst minimizing risk.

Carrying the yeast which causes the condition is a universal thing, with most people carrying it with no issues. Primarily existing in the damp areas of the body, such as the mouth and genitals. The yeast only causes health issues when there is some kind of unbalance in the body's immune system.

The kind of thing which can cause this unbalance varies. Taking antibiotics for any sustained length of time can disrupt the body's natural immunity to the yeast and will often lead to thrush. Stress, lack of sufficient rest and poor diet can also be causes.

Women who are breastfeeding infants sometimes experience thrush on their nipples. This can be a result of an small injury sustained when the child attaches to the nipple. The symptoms are cracked or bleeding skin around the nipples, inflamed or red skin around the nipples and any kind of pain which persists after feeding has finished.

Linoleic acids are anti-fungal agents which occur naturally in olive oil, and work probably by denying the yeast which leads to problems oxygen. Applying oil to the nipples in small amounts gently should soothe any issues relating to fungal infections. Many olive oil based herbal salves are widely available, and enquiring at a local herbalist store or health food shop should bring some positive results.

Incorporating plenty of garlic into the diet will also help keep the body's immune system strong and help keep fungal infections at bay. Another way of complementing treatment with an olive oil salve is to wash the nipples with a diluted mix of vinegar and water, rather than soap, which can dry the skin and worsen the condition. Exposing the nipples to sunlight and outdoor air, at appropriate times, also helps alleviate the condition, and avoiding wearing a bra can help.

While olive oil for thrush is largely a harmless treatment in terms of its effects, other methods can have side-effects. When dealing with any health matter it is essential to take advice from a properly qualified health professional. This is especially true when it comes to any matters relating to childcare and pregnancy.




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