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Gentian Violet — Is It Safe?
Author(s) -
Drinkwater Paul
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1479-828x.1990.tb03199.x
Subject(s) - medicine , vulvovaginal candidiasis , buttocks , vagina , dermatology , clotrimazole , antifungal , gynecology , intensive care medicine , surgery
EDITORIAL COMMENT:Yet another old friend seems to have become a potential enemy. Because of the evidence reviewed in this report, many paediatricians no longer prescribe gentian violet for infants with evidence of candidial infection of buccal mucosa or buttocks. Whether or not the gynaecologist should discontinue the practice of using a single application of gentian violet (1/2 % aqueous) at the time of diagnosis of severe thrush infection of the vagina, while the speculum remains in position, is uncertain; although immediate relief of itch and discomfort is guaranteed, a dose of a specific antifungal preparation, perhaps one of the single‐dose treatments (isoconazole pessaries 2 × 300mg or clotrimazole pessaries 500mg), could be used in the same manner.