The Food and Drug Department says some steroid creams used as skin lightening agents can cause severe disfiguring diseases and other harmful effects on the body.
In a press release, the Department said Dermovate Cream, Lemonvate Cream, Movate Cream, Neopro-sone Gel, Ominic Gel, Pro Beta-Zone Cream, Prosone Gel, Regge Lemon Gel, Top Gel Plus, Top Gel Extra, Topsone Gel and Tropesone Gel should only be sold by a pharmacist, by a doctor’s prescription and should only be used for five to seven days. It said “Very rarely should the use of these creams exceed 14 days or more, and in these instances the individual should be under the supervision of a doctor.”
The most common effect from the use of these steroids is the thinning of the epidermis that is the uppermost layer of the skin, which may become fragile. Adverse effects also include the growth of telangetesis that is small new vessels on the skin and striae or stretch marks. A type of acne called “steroid acne” can also appear from the continued use of steroids and these are often difficult to treat. Peri-oral dermatitis is also another common complication from using these creams.
The continued use of these creams could also cause skin on the face to look like a grater, which is permanent and disfiguring skin damage. There is no reversal of this type of damage and the person would be forced to live with this condition. A steroid cream can also hide fungal infections as when it is applied to an infected area it changes the appearance of the lesion, which will make diagnosis very difficult resulting in delayed treatment. The department also cautions that this can result in the condition being undiagnosed.
It also warns that using the creams can have a number of systemic effects on the body such as hypertension, diabetes, muscle weakness and wasting. Persons can also develop a moon-shaped face and a buffalo hump at the back of their necks from the deposition of fat in this area. They can also develop glaucoma if the creams are applied around the eyes, which may need a lifetime of treatment and may lead to blindness. These complications are much rarer but they have all been disgnosed, the release said.
The department also warns against the use of 2% hydroquinone-based cosmetics and soaps to lighten areas of darkened skin such as freckles, age spots, cholasma and melasma. It cautions that if hydroquinone is misused or used for extended periods the following conditions may occur: Ochronosis – a blue-black discolouration of the skin; Neuropathy – a disease of the nervous system; Hyperchromia – the presence of red cells with abnormally increased cell haemoglobin count and skin irritation.
Hydroquinone stops the production of melanin, which protects the body from the harmful effects of sunlight. Examples of skin lightening creams and soaps that contain this ingredient are Septol cream and soap, Topiclear Cream, Symba cream and soap, Nadimnola Cream, Fair and Lovely Cream, Palmer’s Skin Success Fading Cream and African Formula Cream and soap.
It said too that mercury, a heavy metal, is also used in some skin lightening products. If a substantial amount of this metal is absorbed into the body through the skin, a person may develop neurotoxicty, speech and hearing impairment, irritability a, fearfulness and depression, kidney ailments and immunotoxicity.
The department advises persons who have been using these creams and soaps and who have concerns to consult a dermatologist.
