Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City
516-222-5100
When your child was younger and teething, you probably at
some point or another reached for a pain remedy to help soothe your child’s
sore gums. One of the pain remedies you probably gave your child was Anbesol,
Hurricane, Orajel, Baby Orajel or Orabase. All of these products contain benzocaine, which can lead to a rare but serious condition called
methemoglobinemia.
This is a disorder where the amount of oxygen carried through
the bloodstream is reduced. In some of the most severe cases, methemoglobinemia
can lead to death. The FDA has received 29 reports in regard to
methemoglobinema. Out of the 29 reported cases, 19 of them occurred in children
and 15 of the 19 occurred in children under the age of 2!
The FDA recommends that parents do not give children under the age of 2 any products that contain benzocaine except if told to do so by a
health care professional.
If you suspect your child may have developed
methemoglobinemia, some of the symptoms are:
Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips or nail beds
Shortness of breath
-Fatigue
-Confusion
-Headache
-Light-headedness
-Rapid heart rate
Have you ever used any of these products on your children?
Let us know on our Facebook page linked HERE!
