Hesperian Health Guides
For Thrush (Candida, Yeast Infection)
HealthWiki > New Where There Is No Doctor > Newborn Babies and Breastfeeding > For Thrush (Candida, Yeast Infection)
Newborn Babies and Breastfeeding: Medicines
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.

Gentian violet can irritate the skin and cause sores when used on the mouth or vagina. Stop using if a rash or sores develop.

Gentian violet turns everything purple. It fades off the skin in a few days but can permanently stain cloth.

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.

The skin may become irritated where nystatin is used. This is uncommon. Stop using if you get a rash. Nystatin sometimes causes diarrhea.

A yeast infection that does not get better with nystatin, or keeps coming back again and again, can be a sign of HIV.

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.