Benzocaine is the numbing medication normally used in gel and liquid over-the-counter products such as Anbesol and baby Orajel.
Benzocaine has been linked to a rare condition called methemoglobinemia where the blood does not effectively move oxygen throughout the body. In the worst cases it can be deadly.
The FDA is advising parents not to use products containing benzocaine on children under age 2 unless advised by a doctor.
