BMJ 1999;318:563-564 ( 27 February )

Papers

Analysis of Chinese herbal creams prescribed for dermatological conditions

F M Keane, specialist registrar in dermatology,  S E Munn, senior registrar in dermatology,  A W P du Vivier, consultant dermatologist,  N F Taylor, clinical biochemist,  E M Higgins, senior lecturer in dermatology. 

Departments of Dermatology and Clinical Biochemistry, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS

Correspondence to: Dr Keane FionaKeane99{at}hotmail.com

Objective: To determine whether Chinese herbal creams used for the treatment of dermatological conditions contain steroids.
Design: 11 herbal creams obtained from patients attending general and paediatric dermatology outpatient clinics were analysed with high resolution gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.
Setting: Departments of dermatology and clinical biochemistry.
Main outcome measure: Presence of steroid.
Results: Eight creams contained dexamethasone at a mean concentration of 456 µg/g (range 64 to 1500 µg/g). All were applied to areas of sensitive skin such as face and flexures.
Conclusion: Greater regulation needs to be imposed on Chinese herbalists to prevent illegal and inappropriate prescribing of potent steroids.


Key messages

  • Patients with eczema often report improvement with Chinese herbal creams

  • There may be no indication on the label about the contents of the cream

  • Eight of the 11 creams analysed contained dexamethasone at concentrations inappropriate for use on the face or in children

  • Inadvertent use of topical steroids can cause severe exacerbation of eczema herpeticum

  • Closer regulation of herbal medicines is required




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Relevant Article

Chinese herbal creams may contain steroids
BMJ 1999 318: 0. [Full Text]

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Chinese herbal creams
David Church
bmj.com, 3 Mar 1999 [Full text]
Yes But
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bmj.com, 5 Mar 1999 [Full text]
Validity of study?
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Ethics of duplicate publication
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RISK TO THE PUBLICS HEALTH OF UNLICENSED MEDICINES
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