OT: Steroids found in herbal eczema creams

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Steroids found in " herbal " eczema creams

Archives of Disease in Childhood 88:1056-1057,

So-called " natural " creams for eczema marketed in the United Kingdom

have been found to contain potent steroid drugs not disclosed on the

product labels.

Researchers from Sheffield found that 18 of 24 products that parents

bought from herbalists, clinics, and by mail order for treating their

children contained traces of the drugs. No parents were aware of the

steroid content. Although topical steroids are part of standard eczema

treatment, medical supervision is important because overuse can cause

permanent skin damage.

[Ramsay HM and others. Herbal creams used for atopic eczema in

Birmingham, UK illegally contain potent corticosteroids.

Archives of Disease in Childhood 88:1056-1057,

2003]http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_u\

ids=14670768 & dopt=Abstract

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