The US Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to consumers Wednesday to stop using over-the-counter teething products that contain benzocaine. Benzocaine products are sold as gels, sprays, ointments, solutions and lozenges under brand names Anbesol, Baby Orajel, Cepacol, Chloraseptic, Hurricaine, Orabase, Orajel and Topex and as store brands and generics.
Methemoglobinemia, a fatal condition in which the oxygen level in blood dips dangerously low, may result from these anesthetics. Babies who experience these problems need to get medical attention immediately.
Takeaway: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents to use alternatives such as hard rubber teething products and to avoid frozen teething toys, as they can injure a baby’s mouth and cause more pain. It suggests that parents can rub their babies’ gums to give them temporary relief.
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By training, I am a American Board Certified Pediatrician. But in my younger years I grew up with natural alternatives. As a mom I have tried to incorporate both for my kids and it has worked wonders. And finally, as I am studying natural & alternative medicines, I realize the beauty and wisdom of living closer to earth. Hence in my practice I integrate both...for acute ailments I follow American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation but for simple and/or chronic conditions I prefer natural alternatives.
In western training we were raised to think that "health is the absence of symptoms and problems". But eastern sensibilities has educated me that "Health is state that allows one to use the full capabilities of their body, mind and intellect. Therefore, healthy living is a balanced state of well being: physically, mentally, socially and spiritually." This implies that healing is not a "one-pill-fits-all", but a personalized experience.
