How to Use Gentian Violet on a Baby's Bottom

Solve your baby's thrush irritations with Gentian's violet.

Thrush is a fungal yest infection that is common in nursing mothers and children. Gentian's violet can be used as a topical treatment for thrush on a baby's bottom. The child may display no symptoms if it is less than six weeks old. Symptoms can include red, painful breasts for the mother, shooting breast pains, small white spots on the baby's mouth and tongue and severe diaper rash that looks like a burn. Flaking skin from the mother's nipples or baby's bottom are also signs of thrush.

Things You'll Need

• Gentian's violet
• Cotton swab

Instructions

1. Rub your baby's bottom with olive oil prior to application of Gentian's violet. This will minimize staining.

2. Apply Gentian's violet to the affected areas of your baby's bottom using a cotton swab. Use a clean swab for each application. If you leave the baby's bottom to dry, it will not stain clothing or bedding.

3. Reapply for three days. Although relief from symptoms should be felt within hours of the first application, all symptoms should be gone by the third day. If the symptoms persist, a yeast infection may not be the culprit. Continue to apply the Gentain's violet once a day for a week, if improvement is shown.

Tips & Warnings

• Gentian's violet can also be applied to the baby's mouth and to the mother's nipples.

• Wash all bedding, clothing and towels, as yeast infections can be pass on through fluids.

• Use apple cider vinegar in your wash and put it on the hottest setting possible; then air dry.

• Gentian's violet will stain your baby's skin purple.

• Expect some flaking of the skin on the baby's bottom and on the mother's nipples.

• Overuse can result in pain sores or irritated skin.

• Gentian's violet will stain any clothing or bedding that it comes into contact with.

References

• iVillage: Breastfeeding: Thrush and Gentian's Violet
• Mother's Nature: Ooooh No Diaper Rash!