Gentian Violet in Infants

Gentian violet has been used for generations as an over-the-counter treatment for oral thrush, a common yeast infection in infants and young children. It can also be used as a topical treatment for yeast infections of the nipples by lactating mothers which, if left untreated, can be passed on to breastfed infants during feeding.

  1. Gentian Violet

    • Gentian violet is an antiseptic dye. Classified as an antifungal drug, it is used to treat fungal skin infections. It also has antibacterial properties and can aid in infection prevention. Gentian violet is used topically for the treatment of thrush in infants as well as breastfeeding mothers. Thrush is a fungal infection known to infect moist, warm areas of the body. Thrush is an overgrowth of candida albicans, a yeast normally found in the human body.

    Use

    • Gentian violet can be purchased at pharmacies and online. To use gentian violet as a treatment for oral thrush in infants and children, use a Q-tip to apply a small amount of 0.25 percent or 0.5 percent solution to the affected area of the child’s mouth once a day, or as directed by a pediatrician. If using to treat yeast infection of the nipples, it can be applied topically to the nipple and areola with a Q-tip twice a day. This will also treat the baby’s mouth during breast feeding.

    Benefits

    • When a thrush infection is caught early on, the dye can be used effectively as the only means of treatment. For more severe infections, gentian violet can be used in conjunction with prescription antifungal medications. It can often be a less-expensive alternative to prescription medications. Gentian violet is easy to use and has few side effects, although, as with all drugs, it should be used with caution and only with approval from your pediatrician.

    Side Effects

    • Common side effects include swelling, redness and irritation of the affected area. Rarely, the use of gentian violet can cause skin sores at the site of application or an allergic reaction such as itching, difficulty breathing, dizziness or swelling. A 2008 research study by P. Drinkwater published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology showed a link between the use of gentian violet and oral cancer.

    Considerations

    • One of the biggest problems with using gentian violet to treat infant thrush is how messy it can be. The dye is bright purple, hence the name, and will stain clothing as well as the skin. Your child’s lips may be stained purple for several days until the dye fades. There are several prescription medications frequently ordered to treat oral thrush in infants, such as Nystatin or Diflucan, which your pediatrician may prefer.

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