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What Is Gentian Violet?

Gentian violet is also called crystal violet, methyl violet 10B, and hexamethyl pararosaniline chloride.

It has been studied in some animal models for cancer.

purple dye in a beaker

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Gentian violet comes in a 1% or 2% solution.

Does It Help With Thrush?

Babies

Infants are more likely to develop thrush because their immune systems are not yet fully formed.

This gives theCandidayeast, which is responsible for most yeast infections, the ability to become overgrown.

Babies can also develop the condition if they or their breastfeeding mother takes antibiotics.

Gentian violet may help reduce the overgrowth ofCandidayeast in a case of thrush.

However, its use, particularly in children, is controversial.

They can find out whether thrush is causing your babys symptoms.

They can also instruct you on treatment options.

This is known asnipple thrush.

There is a risk of staining the nipples with gentian violet.

Using a low dose of gentian violet can reduce that risk.

You should not ingest gentian violet.

Choose a 1% solution for treating thrush.

This can help prevent staining.

you’re able to repeat this treatment twice a day for up to three days.

This can help you get the benefits of the treatment while they feed.

you could use this treatment twice a day for no more than seven days.

For example, it can stain the mouth, skin, and clothing very easily.

Although this isnt medically dangerous, it can be annoying.

This is because it is not clear how gentian violet may interact with other medications.

However, its effectiveness and safety need further study.

Check with your healthcare provider before using gentian violet to treat thrush in yourself or your children.

It can spread to other areas of the body and even into the bloodstream.

When this happens, the complications of the infection can progress to serious and life threatening.

However, its unclear how effective or safe it really is.

Therefore, you should consult your healthcare provider prior to treating thrush on your own with this remedy.

2020;26(5).

doi:10.5070/D3265048772

Health Link British Columbia.Gentian violet solution - topical.

Douvoyiannis M, Swank C.The worst thrush I have ever seen.Pediatr Emerg Care.2016;32(9):614-615. doi:10.1097/PEC.0000000000000619