Teething creams and gels

Teething creams and gels are often given to babies to ease the discomfort that comes with teething. Some topical medicines marketed for teething contain benzocaine or lidocaine. These numbing agents should not be used in children as they can be dangerous.

When used in children, benzocaine can cause a rare condition called methemoglobinemia (met-hee-mo-glo-bih-NEE-mee-uh) that affects how oxygen is carried throughout the body. Symptoms of methemoglobinemia include vomiting, headache, shortness of breath, changes in skin color, low oxygen levels, high heart rate and tiredness. Lidocaine use in children can cause heart problems, severe brain injury, seizures and death.