[NP-Clinical] Oops - GENTIAN violet facial staining - aka little Verruca Salt

[Christine Smith]

Thank you all for the tips, and of course puns, Ms. Priscilla. Yes, I found 
out later it was Gentian. The mom and I knew it was something like that. I 
am going to call her tonight when I get back to work to start with the baby 
wipes. I am not so sure I should be telling her to clean the kids face with 
vodka though.  I am not sure how I feel about suggesting that. I did talk to 
an RN in the ER and she said it will eventually come off but that it can 
take months. She said it is used in tattoos but since there was no skin 
penetration it should not be an issue.

 I must admit, the staff and I laughed so hard at this face that we felt so 
bad because poor little "Verruca" covered her face with a blanket. We won 
her back when we dug up a purple stuffed rabbit to match her face.  The 
communion is a pretty big deal for the family so who knows. I wonder if I 
could get a picture. What would be my risks if I got a consent signed? The 
mother, while upset, was also reasonable and amused during some of the 
chaos.  I could identify somewhat with mom, recalling when my one of my 
daughters had huge - like 4cm - ring worm on the middle of her forehead, the 
day before the high school  senior ball. Not as bad as my poor patient but 
definitely through a wrench into things for her. I also recall treating a 
patient three days before her wedding for bilateral fractured radius. She 
had to have long arm casts, up to her biceps. Her wedding had sleeves and 
she was able to get it altered quickly and went onto marry on time, but 
also with hot pink  long arm fiberglass casts.

Could be worse.

Christine Smith, NP