This Wednesday, June 22, the National Medicines Safety Agency pointed to a care product used by young mothers during breastfeeding. It would be dangerous for newborn babies.
It is sometimes used by breastfeeding women to treat breast candidiasis, painful infections caused by a fungus: this is the gentian violet. This industrial dye which, contrary to what one might imagine, is not of natural origin, could be very harmful to babies. In any case, this is what the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) revealed in a statement this Wednesday, June 22.
“When gentian violet is ingested by a newborn during breastfeeding, it can be dangerous for the infant if used for more than seven days at too high dosages”. French health authorities are calling for caution but above all they advise toavoid first-line use. They insist : “never use gentian violet in case of breast candidiasis without consulting your doctor first”.
Gentian violet: why is it dangerous for babies?
In high doses, “and if the preparation contains alcohol”the main risk is that this causes short-term digestive problems Where respiratory in babies. While latching on, infants can swallow the poisonous substance, methyl violet. Furthermore, in 2019, the Canadian health authorities also pointed to crystal violet, as it could be associated with a maternal cancer risk.
In France, from now on, the ANSM therefore recommends that doctors give preference to other antifungal drugs in case of breast fungus. As for pharmacists, they are asked not to sell it without a prescription.
To note that : “If your child has developed oral thrush, medication may be prescribed to prevent any spread of the fungus”.