Pain Relieving Balm | Menthol, Camphor, Methyl Salicylate Liniment while Breastfeeding

What is Pain Relieving Balm | Menthol, Camphor, Methyl Salicylate Liniment used for?

Can I continue breastfeeding if I am using Pain Relieving Balm | Menthol, Camphor, Methyl Salicylate Liniment? How long does it stays in breast milk?

Menthol while Breastfeeding

Herb which is widely used by many cultures. It has been used even for pain relief during pregnancy and colicky pain in fussy babies (without proved data on this). Since it is non toxic at appropriate dose and a tiny excretion into breast milk of active metabolite Menthol, a moderate consumption is believed compatible while breastfeeding. Dessicated leaves and essential oil of the plant that contains Menthol are used. Properties that have been demonstrated and approved indications are: as spasmolytic for Dyspepsia, Irritable Colon and flatulence. It has been used for the treatment of cracked nipple with best results than placebo or Lanolin. Although with no proven effectiveness, it is traditionally used for cough relief, common cold, pain or itching by local application or inhalation. Overdosing of essential oil may be harmful. Do not expose infants to inhalation of products that contain Menthol (irritation of the air way) In case of use on the nipple, do it after feeding the baby and cleanse thoroughly the surface before the next one.

Camphor (natural) while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 76-22-2

Substance which can be extracted under distillation from the Camphor tree bark. Nowadays it is synthesized from the Turpentine. Used with creams and lotions as local anti-inflammatory agent. There is no proof of effectiveness as decongestant or expectorant when used in inhaled preparations, but as a toxic agent. Camphor is a highly lipophilic substance which is well absorbed by whatever via of administration (skin, inhalation, mouth) that crosses easily the cell membrane. Pharmacokinetic data support the likelihood of excretion into breast milk in a significant amount. Camphor has been shown to be toxic at low dose on infants in whom it may cause headache, vomiting, seizures and coma. It should never be administered by mouth. It is not appropriate its use during breastfeeding, and, in whatever case, it should not be applied on the mother's breast, since severe intoxications be occurred in infants after use of small ingested amounts. Be aware of not using it in the nostrils.

Methyl salicylate while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 69-72-7

It is topically used as a keratolytic, antiseptic, antifungal, dermatological and stomatological agent. At last update no published data on excretion into breast milk were found . Systemic absorption (distribution into the body) depends on the concentration of the product used and the duration of application. Absorption may reach 10 to 25% of the total amount applied on the skin. It is recommended not to use during lactation in large areas of skin or for prolonged periods. Available data on the elimination of Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin-ASA) in breast milk indicates it is clinically insignificant.No cases have been reported on Reye's syndrome by ASA through the breast milk which is considered very unlikely to occur with isolated and/or small doses used as antithrombotic treatments and anti-abortion measures, even less after application on the skin or topically in the mouth. Do not apply on the breast to prevent ingestion by the infant. If necessary, apply it after the feed and wipe it off thoroughly with water before the next feed.

Menthol while Breastfeeding

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) contains menthol, menthone, menthyl acetate as major ingredients. Minor ingredients include 1,8-cineole, pulegone, bitter substances, caffeic acid, flavonoids, and tannins. Peppermint is a purported galactogogue; however, no scientifically valid clinical trials support this use.[1] Galactogogues should never replace evaluation and counseling on modifiable factors that affect milk production.[2] Topical peppermint gel and solutions have been studied for the prevention of pain and cracked nipples and areolas in nursing women. The peppermint preparations were more effective than placebo and expressed breastmilk, and about as effective as lanolin,[3][4][5][6] although a meta-analysis concluded that application of nothing or breastmilk may be superior to lanolin, but good studies are lacking.[7] Menthol is excreted into breastmilk in small quantities; the excretion of other components have not been studied. Peppermint is "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) as a food by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Large doses can cause heartburn, nausea and vomiting. Allergic reactions, including headache, have been reported to menthol. If peppermint is used on the nipples, it should be used after nursing and wiped off before the next nursing. Dietary supplements do not require extensive pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products. More detailed information #about dietary supplements# is available elsewhere on the LactMed Web site.

Methyl salicylate while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 69-72-7

No information is available on the clinical use of salicylic acid on the skin during breastfeeding. Because it is unlikely to be appreciably absorbed or appear in breastmilk, it is considered safe to use during breastfeeding.[1] Avoid application to areas of the body that might come in direct contact with the infant's skin or where the drug might be ingested by the infant via licking.

I already used Pain Relieving Balm | Menthol, Camphor, Methyl Salicylate Liniment and meanwhile I breastfed my baby should I be concerned?

My doctor has prescribed me Pain Relieving Balm | Menthol, Camphor, Methyl Salicylate Liniment, what should I do?

If I am using Pain Relieving Balm | Menthol, Camphor, Methyl Salicylate Liniment, will my baby need extra monitoring?

Who can I talk to if I have questions about usage of Pain Relieving Balm | Menthol, Camphor, Methyl Salicylate Liniment in breastfeeding?