Attracted by the false promise of enhancing skin complexion, two patients from Raigad began using a substandard unregulated freely available herbal fairness cream. Regrettably, after using the fairness cream, instead of enhancing their skin complexion, the cream resulted in them developing kidney disease. Both the patients sought timely treatment from Dr Amit Langote, Head of the Nephrology Department, and Kidney Transplant, Medicover Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, and they are recuperating well.
Many patients rely on fairness creams to attain a lighter complexion and enhance their appearance. The detrimental effects of these products are often overlooked, as evidenced by two patients who experienced kidney side effects from using them. Two patients from Raigad, Maharashtra had to bear the brunt of using these fairness creams loaded with harmful ingredients such as mercury.
The patient 24-year-old Namita Shinde (name changed) *, was using a herbal fairness cream prescribed by the local doctor for over 8 months. Similarly, a patient 56-year-old Ramesh More (name changed) * was using the herbal fairness cream prescribed by the barber for 3-4 months. Both the creams had herbal ingredients on the labeling. They experienced body swelling and consulted Medicover Hospitals, Navi Mumbai for further medical intervention.
Dr Amit Langote, Head of the Nephrology Department, and Kidney Transplant, Medicover Hospitals, Navi Mumbai said, “On arrival, the patients had body swelling and a large amount of protein in the urine. Their kidney biopsies indicated membranous nephropathy along with presence of NELL-1 antigen, associated with cancer, as well as toxic and heavy metals such as found in skin-lightening creams. Male patient was initially screened for cancer, and upon further investigation, he disclosed that his barber had provided him with a skin-lightening cream which he used for 5 months before discontinuing. His blood mercury levels on further testing were found to be elevated. Following this discovery, the patient was prescribed medication which led to a reduction in protein levels in his urine and marked improvement in his kidney condition.”
Dr Langote added, "The female patient too tested positive for the NELL-1 antigen and disclosed using a foreign-made fairness cream prescribed by her local doctor, which resulted in elevated blood mercury levels. The patient is currently undergoing treatment for the same. These patients are fortunate to have timely treatment. Many people use non-FDA-approved fairness creams and suffer complications that are undiagnosed in the majority of the causes. High mercury content in the cream suppresses melanocytes in the skin responsible for skin pigmentation. Home-based cream makers (barbers or salons who sell the creams) often knowingly use mercury in the cream, unaware of its harm to the body. Using uncertified fairness products with undisclosed ingredients can endanger kidney health and overall well-being. Consumers should avoid purchasing products without proper authorization from qualified experts and opt for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved creams to ensure safety. Most of these creams don’t indicate the hidden toxic metals/ mercury in them. In fact, labels only show plant-based ingredients luring consumers to use them as being safe. Those who use any kind of fairness products should first consult a doctor and understand their side effects."
Both the patients thanked Medicover Hospitals for prompt diagnosis and timely intervention. “Dr Amit Langote and team not only saved lives but also shed light on the need for stricter regulations on cosmetic products. This wake-up call serves as a reminder that true beauty comes from within, and embracing one's natural skin tone is crucial for maintaining overall well-being,” concluded the patient.
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