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Preventing and Removing Gentian Violet Stains

While Gentian Violet is regaining popularity as an effective treatment against oral, nipple/breast, and diaper area thrush, it can also result in unsightly purple staining. Take heart in knowing that the purple DOES go away, and relatively quickly , from both your's and your baby's skin. Following are some tried and true tips for preventing as much of the staining as possible and ideas on how to get those stains out that just couldn't be prevented!

Tips for preventing stains or lessening the worst of them:

  • Only use 1-2 DROPS of gentian violet. Put it on a little dish and dip a swab in it. Then squeeze all you can from the swab before painting your baby's mouth with it. The baby should then be turned over onto his stomach so that a minimal amount of the solution is swallowed. If baby drools purple, you're using too much.

  • Put lanolin, vaseline, or olive oil on baby's lips and around baby's mouth before swabbing with Gentian Violet. This will keep the solution from being absorbed into the skin so much.

  • Remove all of your clothing down to the waist before swabbing areolae. Undress baby to his diaper for mouth application.

  • Wear nursing pads (disposable are best) inside bra to avoid staining it. You can also cut up old diapers, handkerchiefs, etc. to use as "makeshift" pads while you're using the Gentian Violet.

  • Have burp cloths on hand for catching purple baby drool. If you have any of the disposable bed pads left over from your birth, these are great for putting under baby when you turn her on her tummy after painting her mouth with the the Gentian Violet.

  • When you're using Gentian Violet, wear old clothes or things that can be easily bleached.

    • Removing Gentian Violet stains:

  • Gentian Violet will rub off counters and skin with rubbing alcohol, if used immediately.

  • Spray stained fabric with aerosol hair spray; then wash normally.

  • One mom reported having good luck with ZOUT stain remover, even after the stains were dry. Another used Didi 7 with similar results. Any item that can be safely bleached with chlorine bleach should come clean.

  • A cotton swab/ball with vodka can get stains off baby's face. Rinse vodka off immediately after cleaning stain. Rubbing alcohol will work on baby's face. too. One mom reported that baby wipes worked pretty well, too (she used Huggies Supreme Natural Care Unscented wipes).

    Information compiled by Becky Flora, BSed, IBCLC from tidbits shared by mothers who have battled with thrush. Special thanks to Kelly Bonyata, LLLL and Paula Yount, CBE for helping me get this list together.

    Return to our info page on treatment of thrush

    • © 2006 Breastfeeding Essentials