When a child's teeth erupt, parents often buy drops or gels containing local anesthetic benzocaine in the drugstores: we have Dentol, Baby, in America - Anbesol, Hurricaine, and others..

But the use of gels and drops on the basis of benzocaine in teething can lead to a rare but serious, sometimes fatal condition - methemoglobinemia, according to the Internet publication for girls and women aged 14 to 35 Pannochka. net It is characterized by a significant decrease in the amount of oxygen carried by the blood.

According to the pharmacist of the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) Mary Ghods, in the most severe cases, methemoglobinemia leads to a lethal outcome. Children under the age of 2 years are considered the most vulnerable to this risk.

Since the moment when the FDA first warned people about the potential danger of benzocaine, it's been more than 6 years. The administration for this period received reports of several dozen cases of methaemoglobinaemia associated with gels and drops of benzocaine, with half of the affected children under the age of 2.

The administration repeated its warning in April 2011, as well as in 2012, and is still concerned about the widespread use of OTC drugs based on benzocaine to alleviate the pain associated with dentition in children. This concern is reinforced by the serious potential consequences of the use of drugs, as well as the fact that it is difficult for parents to recognize the symptoms of methemoglobinemia.

For these reasons, the FDA recommends that parents not use products with benzocaine in children younger than 2 years, unless they have been prescribed by a doctor. When using external means with benzocaine, the child should be observed by a doctor. A corresponding warning was posted on the FDA's official website in the Safety Information section as early as April 2011.

"Symptoms of methemoglobinemia may appear within a few minutes to several hours after the administration of benzocaine. They can occur either after the first use of the drug, or after repeated use in the past, "said Dr. Ghods.

Symptoms of methemoglobinemia include:.

• Pale skin and mucous membranes.

• Headache.

• Dizziness.

• Shortness of breath.

• Weakness.

• Confusion.

• Cardiopalmus.

FDA experts warn: if your child has any of these symptoms after using the drug, immediately stop using it and call a doctor!.

Methemoglobinemia caused by benzocaine preparations may require hospitalization. In serious cases, treatment can not be postponed - delayed treatment can result in permanent (irreversible) damage to the brain and other organs due to insufficient supply of cells with oxygen.

What should parents do?.

When a child cries and does not sleep, mom and dad should somehow solve the problem.

When teething teeth, American experts recommend the following:.

• Cool the water teaser for the teeth and give it to the baby..

• Gently massage the baby's gums with a finger.

• Get medical attention if these methods do not help.

Benzocaine in adults.

The products of benzocaine, offered in the form of gels, sprays, solutions and lozenges, are widely used by adult patients. In the West, doctors often use local anesthetic sprays before painful procedures, such as transesophageal echocardiography, endoscopy, intubation and replacement of a feeding probe.

Despite the fact that children are most at risk, the use of benzocaine in adults is not always safe.

It is recommended to consult a doctor if you:.

• Smoking for a long time.

• Suffering from heart disease.

• Have emphysema, asthma or bronchitis.

In addition, the FDA strongly recommends that you keep these drugs away from children and apply them only in cases of emergency (no more than 4 times a day).

medbe. en.