In June alone, the Poison Control Center at Bach Mai Hospital admitted 5 severe cases of mercury poisoning caused by using melasma-treating creams and skin-whitening creams purchased online. Protect yourself from the risk of mercury poisoning by using VNTEST's heavy metal testing service for cosmetics. Contact us immediately via hotline 0965.338.523 for the fastest consultation.
Mercury poisoning from using melasma cream of unknown origin
What is mercury poisoning?
Mercury poisoning is a condition where the body is affected by the heavy metal mercury through direct or indirect exposure. Mercury can enter the body via the digestive tract, respiratory tract, or through the skin.
Depending on the degree and duration of exposure, patients with mercury poisoning may experience the following symptoms:
- Nervous system disorders: Tremors, muscle weakness, numbness, memory loss, mood changes, anxiety, depression.
- Renal dysfunction: Kidney failure, blood in urine, edema.
- Digestive disorders: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain.
- Respiratory disorders: Difficulty breathing, coughing, pneumonia.
- Skin damage: Dermatitis, rash, itching.
- Effects on fetuses: Causes birth defects, miscarriage, stillbirth.
Mercury poisoning after 1 year of using melasma cream bought online
The 5th case of mercury poisoning admitted in June by the Poison Control Center at Bach Mai Hospital was a 31-year-old woman from Son La. The patient was hospitalized in a deep coma, with multi-organ damage (brain, kidneys, liver, heart), and required mechanical ventilation. Initially suspected of having an infection, test results revealed mercury poisoning instead.
The cause was determined to be the use of an online-bought melasma cream over the course of 1 year. According to doctors, this melasma cream contained mercury levels 4,000 times higher than the allowable limit. After 3 weeks of intensive treatment, the patient passed the critical stage but still requires continued monitoring and treatment to detoxify the mercury from her body.
This serves as a wake-up call regarding the hidden risks of using melasma-treating and skin-whitening creams bought online. These products are often advertised with miraculous promises of beauty results, yet carry a very high risk of heavy metal poisoning.
Mercury is a toxic metal that can cause severe health damage, including kidney failure, brain damage, encephalitis, mental disorders, vision impairment, and even blindness. The process of mercury detoxification can last for months or even years, and patients may suffer severe sequelae that impact their memory and overall health.
Consumer benefits of testing mercury levels in cosmetics
Testing mercury levels in cosmetics brings several important benefits to consumers, such as:
- Helps detect and eliminate products containing mercury levels exceeding permissible limits, contributing to protecting consumers from the risk of mercury poisoning.
- Provides information on mercury content in products, giving consumers a basis to choose safe cosmetics that suit their needs.
- Promotes the building of a safe and healthy cosmetic market for consumers.
Why use cosmetic testing services at VNTEST?
To protect yourself from the risk of heavy metal poisoning from cosmetics, especially mercury poisoning, VNTEST recommends that customers use our heavy metal concentration testing services for cosmetics. This service helps determine the content of toxic metals such as mercury, lead, and arsenic in products, thereby helping customers make suitable and health-safe choices.
>> Refer to VNTEST's cosmetic testing services here
