Eczema and psoriasis sufferers urged to stop using ‘herbal’ cream IMMEDIATELY amid fears it contains dangerous steroids
ECZEMA sufferers are being urged to stop using herbal creams for their condition after some were found to contain steroids.
The herbal medicine has also been found to contain two antifungal ingredients, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) warned.
The agency has stopped the sale of the product from marketplaces and online shops but is urging those who have bought it in the past to stop using the cream immediately.
Yiganerjing Cream, a Chinese herbal medicine, is not a licensed medicine and has been marketed in the UK as a “natural” Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of a range of skin conditions, most commonly eczema, psoriasis and rosacea, the agency said.
Another herbal remedy, called Penny Orange Cream, also contains steroids, the agency found.
The MHRA found the products contained the steroid clobetasol propionate, the active ingredient in prescription-only medicines used for skin conditions.
Creams containing this steroid should be used sparingly and only as directed by a medical professional.
Matthew Gass, from the British Association of Dermatologists, said: "We’ve been concerned about the popularity of herbal creams for the treatment of skin disease for a long time.
"The increasing availability of some bogus treatments online has made them easier than ever to buy.
"The dangers of these products are two-fold, firstly that it is claimed that they treat a disease which they don’t, leaving it unchecked, and secondly that they are poorly labelled, and often contain ingredients that should only be used on advice from a doctor.
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"Big online marketplaces need to make a concerted effort to root out these unprincipled sellers and remove them from their websites.
"We have even heard of cases where patients have been using herbal creams to treat skin cancers.
"More efforts need to be made to educate people, who are often scared and desperate, on the dangers of these products.."
Dr Chris Jones, manager of the medicines borderline section at MHRA, said: "The sale of potent steroid creams directly to the public is illegal for good reason.
"If used without medical supervision these medicines can be dangerous.
"Steroids must be prescribed by healthcare professionals who follow strict criteria when prescribing them and monitoring patients using them.
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"They can suppress the skin’s response to infection, can cause long-term thinning of the skin, and if applied long term over a wide area, particularly in babies and children, can cause other medical problems.
"Our advice to anyone who is using Yiganerjing Cream, particularly on young children and babies, is to discontinue use immediately. If you have any questions, please contact your healthcare professional."
If you are unsure if the medicine you are using is safe check the packaging for a marketing authorisation or product licence number, which means it has been approved by the MHRA.
If you are aware of Yiganerjing cream being sold anywhere contact MHRA at [email protected].
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