[citation report] Mercurial Ointments in the Treatment of Syphilis

Cited by 25 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…In recent times, the use of mercury in skin-lightening creams and religious rituals has added another source of exposure [7][8][9]. The application of mercurial preparations to the skin has been accepted for centuries [10,11]. Organic forms such as phenyl mercuric acetate are sometimes used as cosmetic preservatives, while inorganic forms; such as ammoniated mercury, are the active ingredients in skin-lightening creams [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Accumulation of Mercury in Ovaries of Mice After the Application of Skin-lightening Creams

Al‐Saleh

Shinwari

Al-Amodi

2009

Biol Trace Elem Res

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Skin-lightening creams are being increasingly used by women in particular, worldwide in an attempt to whiten their skin. Men and older people use these creams to remove age spots or other pigmentation disorders. Several studies have reported the presence of high mercury levels in skin-lightening cream. Women, especially pregnant and nursing mothers, who use these creams are at risk of mercury toxicity because long-term exposure can cause permanent neurological damage, nephrological disorders, fertility problems, and birth defects. Early exposure usually has no clinical symptoms. Mercury levels were measured in a total of 49 ovary tissue samples. The mean mercury contents in the ovaries of non-treated mice (11.70 +/- 13.38 ng/g) were compared to mice treated with Rose skin-lightening cream samples (2,471.92 +/- 1,336.31 ng/g) and those treated with Fair & Lovely skin-lightening creams (58.47 +/- 39.51 ng/g). The mercury content in the ovary tissues increased with number of cream applications and were highest in the ovaries of mice treated twice a day with Fair & Lovely (87.79 +/- 26.20 ng/g) and once a day with Rose (3,515.61 +/- 1,099.78 ng/g). Our data indicate that dermal exposure to mercury can result in a significant accumulation in the ovaries of mice following the application of skin-lightening cream. This may cause alterations in reproductive behavior and contribute to infertility or ovarian failure. Of course, these results need to be confirmed by further research. Imported or locally made skin-lightening creams are widely available in Saudi market. It would be ideal to ban the sale of these creams but unfortunately, advertisements in the mass media presenting celebrities and beauty specialists make these products more popular. Alternatively, public health authorities should encourage more reliance on prescribed creams for the treatment of skin pigmentation problems.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Accumulation of Mercury in Ovaries of Mice After the Application of Skin-lightening Creams

Al‐Saleh

Shinwari

Al-Amodi

2009

Biol Trace Elem Res

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“…Mercury-containing compounds have historically been used in germicidal soaps, 1 teething powders, 2 medications for psoriasis and syphilis, 3,4 Chinese patent medicines, 5 and skin preparations including skin-lightening creams.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury poisoning associated with a Mexican beauty cream

Weldon

Smolinski²,

Maroufi³

et al. 2000

Western Journal of Medicine

102

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“…The application of mercurial preparations to the skin has been practiced for centuries (Cole et al, 1930;Turk & Baker, 1968). -the degree of absorption and excretion of mercury following exposure is directly dependent on the amount of metal in the base (Cole et al, 1930).…”

Section: Mercury Content In Skin-lightening Creams a N D Potential Hamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…-the degree of absorption and excretion of mercury following exposure is directly dependent on the amount of metal in the base (Cole et al, 1930). Chronic exposure to either inorganic or organic mercury can permanently damage the brain, kidneys, and developing 'fetus.…”

Section: Mercury Content In Skin-lightening Creams a N D Potential Hamentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury Content in Skin-Lightening Creams and Potential Hazards to the Health of Saudi Women

Al‐Saleh

Al-Doush

1997

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health

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It seems evident from a wealth of scientific research that mercury is toxic. Because of the nature of the Saudi markets, different brands of skin-lightening creams are widely available. In this study, 38 skin-lightening cream samples were collected and analyzed for mercury by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry after an acid digestion procedure. About 45% of the tested skin-lightening cream samples contained mercury at levels well above the FDA's acceptable limit of 1 ppm. These findings are alarming and have wide legal and educational implications for Saudi Arabia in particular and developing countries in general. Further investigation for possible adverse health effects is also needed.

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Mercurial Ointments in the Treatment of Syphilis

Cited by 25 publications

References 3 publications

Accumulation of Mercury in Ovaries of Mice After the Application of Skin-lightening Creams

Accumulation of Mercury in Ovaries of Mice After the Application of Skin-lightening Creams

Mercury poisoning associated with a Mexican beauty cream

Mercury Content in Skin-Lightening Creams and Potential Hazards to the Health of Saudi Women

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