
The only good news is that you can use a toenail fungus treatment while breastfeeding, once you know which products and ingredients are safe to use. The most common symptoms of a fungal nail infection are thickening and yellowing. Also, as the condition progresses, the nail may become brittle with pieces breaking off completely.
How to treat toenail fungus while breastfeeding?
Treating Toenail Fungus while Breastfeeding. A good remedy to use during breastfeeding and pregnancy is tea tree oil. No tests have been performed, but it’s a natural substance. Research conducted has shown that it is effective in curing toenail fungus and in treating athlete’s foot.
Can I use OTC nail treatments while breastfeeding?
Athlete’s foot, fungal nail infections, verruca and corns can be treated with over the counter topical products without interfering with breastfeeding. Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection usually presenting as sore or itchy areas between the toes. It can also produce blisters on the feet.
Is it safe to use antifungal cream while breastfeeding?
L3- One report of milk production suppression, therefore, L3 rating, but physicians believe it is most likely safe during breastfeeding. Five commonly used oral antifungal agents include griseofulvin, terbinafine, and three antifungals in the “azole” category including fluconazole, ketoconazole, and itraconazole.
How do you treat a fungal nail infection?
Medicated nail polish may also be used to treat fungal nail infection. Your doctor may prescribe a fungal nail polish such as ciclopirox. This medication is safe to take during pregnancy, although it is best not to use it while breastfeeding. To use medicated nail polish, apply to the nail once daily.

How do you treat fungus when breastfeeding?
Thrush in breastfeeding women is usually treated with a cream that you sparingly spread on and around your nipples after feeds. You'll need to wash your hands thoroughly after treating yourself. Some women may need to take anti-fungal tablets to clear the infection.
Is it safe to use antifungal cream while breastfeeding?
Topical preparations for fungal infections are considered to pose a negligible risk to a breastfeeding infant as long as precautions are taken to minimise contact of the breastfeeding infant with treated areas. There is no published evidence on the safe use of these topical preparations in breastfeeding.
Is lamisil safe during breastfeeding?
It's OK to use terbinafine cream, gel, spray and solution when you're breastfeeding, as long as you are not putting it on or near your nipples. Terbinafine tablets are generally not recommended if you're breastfeeding.
Does breast milk have antifungal properties?
These results indicated that human milk may have antifungal effects to fungi present in the environmental air as tested by Sabouraud agar petri dishes. To prevent infections and allergic diseases, human milk must be considered the ideal food for newborns.
How do I get rid of athlete's foot while breastfeeding?
Treatment for athletes foot is available as creams including clotrimazole (Canesten®, pharmacy own brands), miconazole (Daktarin®, terbinafine (Lamisil®) Tolnaftate (Mycil, Scholl®), zinc undecenoate (Mycota®).
Is Scholl fungal nail treatment safe in pregnancy?
The systemic absorption of amorolfine during and after topical administration is very low and therefore the risk to the human fetus appears to be negligible. However, because there is no relevant experience, amorolfine should be avoided during pregnancy.
Can I use toenail fungus treatment while pregnant?
Medicated Nail Polish Your doctor may prescribe a fungal nail polish such as ciclopirox. This medication is safe to take during pregnancy, although it is best not to use it while breastfeeding. To use medicated nail polish, apply to the nail once daily.
What is the most effective treatment for toenail fungus?
Oral antifungal drugs. These drugs are often the first choice because they clear the infection more quickly than do topical drugs. Options include terbinafine (Lamisil) and itraconazole (Sporanox). These drugs help a new nail grow free of infection, slowly replacing the infected part.
Is topical antifungal cream safe during pregnancy?
You can safely treat a yeast infection during pregnancy with various over-the-counter antifungal vaginal creams or suppositories.
Do I need to wash off clotrimazole before breastfeeding?
Clotrimazole cream is generally considered safe to use while you're breastfeeding. If you are using clotrimazole on your breasts, wash off any cream from your breasts before feeding your baby.
Is it safe to use miconazole while breastfeeding?
However, because only small amounts of the medication could pass into breastmilk when miconazole or clotrimazole is used topically, breastfeeding is not expected to be a concern. Miconazole and clotrimazole creams have been used directly on infants under the care of a healthcare provider to treat fungal infections.
Are topical antifungals safe during pregnancy?
Careful consideration of the benefit to the mother and the risk to the fetus is required when prescribing antifungal therapy in pregnancy. Imidazoles are considered safe as topical therapy for fungal skin infections during pregnancy. Nystatin is minimally absorbed and is effective for vaginal therapy.
What to do if symptoms fail to clear with topical treatment?
If symptoms fail to clear with topical treatment you may need to see your healthcare provider to discuss oral medication.
What to do after washing your feet?
After washing, dry your feet, paying particular attention to the areas between your toes.
How to treat athlete's foot?
The following measures can help treat and prevent athlete’s foot: 1 Wash your feet regularly and thoroughly using soap and water. 2 After washing, dry your feet, paying particular attention to the areas between your toes. 3 Wear clean cotton socks. 4 Change your shoes and socks regularly to help keep your feet dry. 5 Don’t share towels and wash your towels regularly.
Is the Breastfeeding Network responsible for the way the information is used?
No responsibility can be taken by the author or the Breastfeeding Network for the way in which the information is used. Clinical decisions remain the responsibility of medical and breastfeeding practitioners. The data presented here is intended to provide some immediate information but cannot replace input from professionals.
Can a nail be a fungus?
Fungal Nail Infections can affect part or all of the nail, including the nail plate, nail bed and root of the nail. The infection develops slowly and causes the nail to become discoloured, thickened and distorted. The toenails are more frequently affected than the fingernails. ( www.nhs.uk/conditions/fungal-nail-infection/Pages/Introduction.aspx ) Treatments can take some months to be effective because of the speed at which the nail regrows. In mild cases soaks of tea tree oil can be effective. Nail paints such as amorolfine (Loceryl®), urea (Canespro®), own brand pharmacy products, can be applied directly to the nail even when breastfeeding despite the patient information saying otherwise. ( www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/wp-content/dibm/patient%20information%20leaflet.pdf ). If symptoms fail to clear with topical treatment you may need to see your healthcare provider to discuss oral medication. Further information is available on terbinafine https://breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk/fact-sheet/oral-terbinafine-and-breastfeeding
Can you use corn paint on your toes?
They usually develop on the tops or sides of toes. Over the counter remedies such as corn paints and plasters can be applied carefully to the corn (avoiding the healthy skin around it). These products can be used by breastfeeding mothers without affecting their breastmilk or baby.
How to treat nail fungus in pregnant women?
To use, apply a 100% solution with a cotton ball twice daily for at least 6 months. Do not use tea tree oil if you are sensitive to or allergic to turpentine. Also, do not take it orally as this can have toxic effects. WARNING: While some have used snakeroot extract (Asarum) to treat nail fungus, it is not safe to use during pregnancy.
How to treat fungus on toenails?
Here are several ways you can prevent nail fungus: Regularly clean your feet with soap and water, and make sure to dry them well. Wear shower shoes when showering in public areas.
What are the symptoms of nail fungus?
Symptoms of nail fungus may initially include white or yellow spots or streaks on the nail, while you may notice discoloration, thickening, and crumbling of the nail as the infection progresses. Let’s discuss how to treat nail fungus naturally during pregnancy.
How long does it take for a nail to grow back after surgery?
After surgery, a new, healthy nail will generally grow back, although it may take a year. Laser therapy may also be used to treat nail fungus.
How to get rid of a nail infection?
Change shoes and socks at least a couple times per day. Keep na ils trimmed, clipping them straight across the top. Disinfect home pedicure tools, including tools used to trim the nails. Do not use nail polish on infected nails or nails that you suspect may be infected.
Can you take medicated nail polish while breastfeeding?
This medication is safe to take during pregnancy, although it is best not to use it while breastfeeding. To use medicated nail polish, apply to the nail once daily. After a week, clean the nail with alcohol to remove the layers of polish. Continue applying daily and cleaning with alcohol once a week.
Can antifungal medication cause liver damage?
Some antifungal medications can be harmful to the liver, so your doctor may regularly check for liver damage while you are taking such medication. Your doctor may not recommend taking oral antifungal medication if you have liver disease or congestive heart failure.
What color is the skin when you have a fungal infection?
The symptoms vary by type of infection but often times the skin can get discolored and appear white, brown, tan, or pink. Medication used to treat fungal infections is often different for these two classes of critters. [1]
What are the two types of fungi that humans have?
It is worthwhile to note that fungi that infect humans come in two major forms: candida (yeast) and tinea (dermatophytes/mold). Candida or yeast often grow in moist environments such as the folds of the skin, oral cavity, and vaginal and anal areas. Infection with Candida is usually red and itchy.
Is Nystatin safe for pregnancy?
The topical form of nystatin is often used to treat superficial fungal infections, most commonly known as candida. This medication is rarely used in oral form because it does not absorb well into the bloodstream when taken orally. [2] It is categorized as pregnancy category A when used as an intravaginal tablet for fungal infections in that area, such as vulvovaginal yeast infections. Its topical form (ointment, powder, cream) has been labeled pregnancy category C, simply because there are no good human or animal studies verifying its safety in pregnancy. However, there are no reports in the literature about negative effects to the fetus when used in pregnancy. It has a lactation category of L1 and is safe to use while breastfeeding. [3]
Is antifungal cream safe for pregnant women?
Is Antifungal Cream Safe To Use During Pregnancy. Is it ok to take an antifungal while pregnant or breastfeeding? From nail infections to itchy scalp to yeast infections, skin fungal infections are very common in the general population. Unfortunately, pregnancy is not immune to these conditions and many women who face skin fungus in pregnancy ...
Is miconazole safe for breastfeeding?
A related topical agent, miconazole, has also been used safely in many pregnancies and there have been no birth defects in babies reported. It is labeled as pregnancy category C. It has an L2 lactation rating and is most likely safe to use during breastfeeding. [6]
Is selenium disulfide safe for lactation?
It has a lactation rating of L3. It is generally considered safe to use during lactation, but there is one reported case of breast milk production suppression in a woman using selenium disulfide to treat a condition called tinea versicolor, but this is the only known reported case of such an effect. [7]
Can you give a baby a syringe topically?
In animal studies, this medication has not been shown to harm the growing fetus when administered either topically or orally to rats, mice, monkeys, and rabbits. Therefore, it can be used topically safely during pregnancy but is not often chosen as a first-line agent.
