Story at-a-glance
- The FDA is warning parents to stop using creams and gels containing the numbing agent benzocaine to calm pain in their teething children, as benzocaine has been linked to a deadly blood disorder
- The blood disorder, methemoglobinemia, prevents the blood protein hemoglobin from releasing oxygen to tissues, thus resulting in oxygen deprivation to body tissues, including the brain, sometimes resulting in death
- Although plastic teething rings are popular, they may leach bisphenol-A, an endocrine disrupting agent associated with altered immune function, obesity, diabetes, hyperactivity and more
- Research reveals teething toys, cuddling and rubbing baby’s gums are the most effective natural means of relieving pain and discomfort associated with teething; the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend gels and creams as they wash out easily and are quickly swallowed
By Dr. Mercola
Parents are familiar with the cries and discomfort of their teething children. While a normal part of growth and development, some strategies you may consider could have potentially dangerous side effects. No one likes pain, and when an infant is teething, a parent will do just about anything to relieve their discomfort. However, it’s important to realize the potential dangers in reaching for a drug as the first line of defense.
All drugs have potentially serious side effects — even those sold without a prescription and used topically, as opposed to being swallowed. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a statement calling for manufacturers to pull products containing a popular topical numbing ingredient,1 as years of data have linked it to a dangerous blood disorder.
Benzocaine May Trigger Blood Disorder
In a press release, the FDA warned consumers over-the-counter teething products containing benzocaine may pose a serious risk to infants and children. Benzocaine is a pain reliever contained in many teething products for the temporary relief of sore gums. The FDA is asking manufacturers to voluntarily take products with benzocaine off the market and for companies to stop selling the products.
The FDA has been warning of the potentially deadly side effect for the last decade2 and now warns of legal action should manufacturers not comply. The FDA will also require manufacturers to update their warning labels on prescription local anesthetics for teething children to include the potential risk of methemoglobinemia.3
READ MORE
