In a new study, researchers found that a skin-lightening cream from Mexico that contained toxic mercury left a California woman with serious central nervous system damage.
Many weeks after her initial hospitalization, the patient requires ongoing tube feeding for nutritional support and can’t speak or care for herself.
The research was reported by a team from the University of California, San Francisco.
According to the team, the cream contained a form of organic mercury called methylmercury.
This is the first known case of methylmercury poisoning in the United States in nearly 50 years.
The team says most harmful skin-lightening creams are intentionally tainted with inorganic mercury.
But in this case, the woman used a skin-lightening product containing organic mercury, which is far more toxic.
Organic mercury can cause “profound damage” to the central nervous system that may even worsen after use ends.
The woman first sought medical help for involuntary muscle movement and weakness in her shoulders and arms.
After two weeks of outpatient care, she was sent to a hospital with symptoms that included blurry vision, unsteady gait, and difficulty speaking. Blood and urine tests confirmed mercury poisoning.
She had been using skin-lightening creams from Mexico twice a day for seven years.
The woman underwent chelation therapy, a treatment for heavy metal poisoning, but her condition didn’t improve.
She was transferred to UCSF, where tests found that the skin cream she used contained methylmercury.
The team says consumers can take several steps to protect themselves.
When buying skin creams, check that the product has a protective foil seal under the lid.
Purchase creams from well-known stores and avoid those with hand-made labels or without labels.
Ingredients must be listed, and directions and warnings should be in English.
The lead author of the study is Dr. Paul Blanc.
The study is published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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