Hesperian Health Guides
For Thrush (Candida, Yeast Infection)
HealthWiki > New Where There Is No Doctor > Newborn Babies and Breastfeeding > For Thrush (Candida, Yeast Infection)
Gentian violet, GV, crystal violet, methylrosanilinium chloride
Gentian violet is an inexpensive treatment for yeast infections in the mouth, on the nipples of a breastfeeding mother, in skin folds, or on the vulva or vagina. It also works against some bacterial skin infections.
![Green-effects-nwtnd.png](https://pool.hesperian.org/w/images/thumb/4/42/Green-effects-nwtnd.png/35px-Green-effects-nwtnd.png)
Gentian violet can irritate the skin and cause sores when used on the mouth or vagina. Stop using if a rash or sores develop.
![NBgrnimportant.png](https://pool.hesperian.org/w/images/thumb/0/08/NBgrnimportant.png/30px-NBgrnimportant.png)
Gentian violet turns everything purple. It fades off the skin in a few days but can permanently stain cloth.
![NBgrneyedrop.png](https://pool.hesperian.org/w/images/thumb/3/3f/NBgrneyedrop.png/30px-NBgrneyedrop.png)
Nystatin
Nystatin works well for most yeast infections in the mouth, on the nipples or skin, or in the vagina. For use in the mouth, nystatin comes in a liquid, powder that is mixed with water, or as a lozenge (pastille). For the skin, it comes as a cream, an ointment or a powder. For a yeast infection in the vagina, nystatin comes in vaginal tablets or cream that goes inside the vagina.
![Green-effects-nwtnd.png](https://pool.hesperian.org/w/images/thumb/4/42/Green-effects-nwtnd.png/35px-Green-effects-nwtnd.png)
The skin may become irritated where nystatin is used. This is uncommon. Stop using if you get a rash. Nystatin sometimes causes diarrhea.
![NBgrnimportant.png](https://pool.hesperian.org/w/images/thumb/0/08/NBgrnimportant.png/30px-NBgrnimportant.png)
A yeast infection that does not get better with nystatin, or keeps coming back again and again, can be a sign of HIV.
![NBgrneyedrop.png](https://pool.hesperian.org/w/images/thumb/3/3f/NBgrneyedrop.png/30px-NBgrneyedrop.png)
For a baby with thrush in the mouth
For rash on baby’s bottom or genitals caused by a yeast infection
After changing the baby’s diaper, use nystatin cream 3 or 4 times a day on the affected bottom and genital areas. Make sure the area is clean and dry before putting on the cream. Keep using the cream for 3 days after the yeast infection is gone, or it may come back.