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With fairness creams easily available over the counter and also from online stores, some products with shockingly high levels of mercury are doing more harm than good.
With fairness creams easily available over the counter and also from online stores, some products with shockingly high levels of mercury are doing more harm than good. A few cases reviewed by Nimhans, Bengaluru, show that use of mercury-laden creams could result in severe neurological symptoms, twitching, sleep disturbances, memory loss, altered behaviour and renal failure.
Nimhans has witnessed several cases of mercury toxicity in the past few months. Investigations pointed to extremely high mercury concentrations in both cosmetic products and affected individuals.
Some fairness creams allegedly contain high levels of mercury, breaching the safety limit by 11,500 times. For perspective, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation under the health and family welfare ministry permits 1mg of mercury per kg of cream.
People should consult a dermatologist before using any fairness creams, read labels to check for heavy metals and steroids and report if side effects occur. “It is unsafe to buy unregulated products off the internet. We plan to write to the health ministry for further action,” Dr Prabha S Chandra, interim director of Nimhans, told
Fairness creams from Pakistan and the Middle East are available on online platforms. Dr Ravi Yadav, a professor of neurology and deputy medical superintendent at Nimhans, said one of the creams claims an effective whitening of the skin and promises to tackle pimples, spots, and freckles. “Investigations conducted at Nimhans showed very high mercury levels in the product,” said Dr Yadav.
Another fairness cream with high levels of mercury is sold online for Rs 359. “Use of unregulated creams containing high levels of mercury could damage the brain and kidneys. They could weaken the nerves,” says Dr Yadav, adding unlicensed products may not follow manufacturing or testing norms.
Two young patients recently experienced severe neurological and systemic symptoms after using mercury-laden creams. “A 16-year-old boy had urinary mercury levels of 39.46 µg/L (Normal < 2.13 µg/L). Blood tests showed 32.218 µg/L, while the desirable range is less than 5-10 µg/L,” says Dr Ganaraj, assistant professor of neurology. Subsequently, chemical analysis of the facial fairness cream used by the patient demonstrated very high concentrations of mercury. “In this case, the cosmetic was a source of mercury intoxication,” he added.
Known for low cost, mercury minimises melanin production, leading to a lighter skin tone. Some users observe significant results in 10 days, according to aesthetic physician Dr Ruby Sachdev.
4 patients developed burning sensation in feet and hands, altered sensations, tremor and sleep disturbance to muscle twitching, excessive sweating, nerve hyperexcitability, severe weakness with kidney disease, reddish and pinkish discolouration of fingers and toes. Two patients had unknowingly used mercury-rich creams, while the other two had taken unregulated indigenous powders as treatment.
“Mercury levels were markedly elevated in all patients. Symptoms, including kidney disease, improved substantially after stopping the exposure and providing appropriate long-term immunotherapy and symptomatic treatment,” says Dr Deepak Menon, additional professor, Nimhans
Source: The Times of India
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