Treat the young infant for local infections

There are three types of local infections in a young infant that a mother or caregiver can treat at home: red or pus-draining umbilicus, skin pustules, and oral thrush.

Twice each day, the mother should clean the infected area and then apply gentian violet. Teach the mother how to treat the infection and check her understanding. If the mother is going to treat oral thrush, give her a bottle of half-strength (0.25%) gentian violet. If the mother is going to treat skin pustules or umbilical infection, give her a bottle of full-strength (0.5%) gentian violet.