
What Are The After Effects Of Accidental Ingestion Of Benzocaine?

Question: Hi
My 7 months old baby licked open condom cover which had little amount of gel like thing.it says 4.5% benzocaine.very worried what should I do now...the gel was very little in that cover
My 7 months old baby licked open condom cover which had little amount of gel like thing.it says 4.5% benzocaine.very worried what should I do now...the gel was very little in that cover
Brief Answer:
Do not worry
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I understand your concerns but don't worry. Benzocaine can lead to methemoglobinemia in few babies. The symptoms usually appear within 1 hour of consumption. So, watch your baby for any skin discolouration, cyanosis, breathlessness, dizziness or lethargy. If he doesn't show any abnormal signs and symptoms then there is no need to worry. If present, then visit an ER for proper management. It can be easily managed by timely administration of methylene blue.
Hopefully it will be of help.
Take care
Do not worry
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I understand your concerns but don't worry. Benzocaine can lead to methemoglobinemia in few babies. The symptoms usually appear within 1 hour of consumption. So, watch your baby for any skin discolouration, cyanosis, breathlessness, dizziness or lethargy. If he doesn't show any abnormal signs and symptoms then there is no need to worry. If present, then visit an ER for proper management. It can be easily managed by timely administration of methylene blue.
Hopefully it will be of help.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar


Should I give him any medicine.it has been more than an hour.he had milk and is sleeping now.no other symptoms
Brief Answer:
No need for any medications
Detailed Answer:
He is unlikely to have any toxicity due to benzocaine if more than one hour has passed uneventful. Hopefully he will be fine. No need for medications. Just keep a watch for symptoms I suggested earlier for the next few hours.
Take care
No need for any medications
Detailed Answer:
He is unlikely to have any toxicity due to benzocaine if more than one hour has passed uneventful. Hopefully he will be fine. No need for medications. Just keep a watch for symptoms I suggested earlier for the next few hours.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar


Will methemoglobinemia show symptoms later..he is sleeping (usually sleeps by this time) should I wake him up to watch for symptoms.how much percentage of benzocaine is toxic..i read online that it is used in baby teething gels..vry much worried...
Brief Answer:
Its highly unlikely to cause him harm
Detailed Answer:
The exposure was very insignificant and highly unlikely to be of any harm to him. Let him sleep. Just keep a watch on his general breathing pattern and colour of nails and lips. Hopefully he will be fine.
Its highly unlikely to cause him harm
Detailed Answer:
The exposure was very insignificant and highly unlikely to be of any harm to him. Let him sleep. Just keep a watch on his general breathing pattern and colour of nails and lips. Hopefully he will be fine.
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar

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