Public urged not to buy 4 skin creams after infant hospitalised: HSA
SINGAPORE — The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on Monday (1 July) alerted the public not to purchase and use four skin creams with undeclared potent ingredients after an infant was hospitalised.
These include three skin creams used by consumers to treat eczema: D’Splendid Kidzema cream, CLAĺR DE LUNE P Tuberose day cream and CLAĺR DE LUNE S Involcurata night cream.
The fourth product was an unlabelled cream purchased from a traditional practitioner in Malaysia used to treat diaper rash on a female infant who was less than a year old.
She then developed Cushing’s syndrome and suffered from symptoms including “moon-face”, “buffalo hump” on the back, excessive hair growth on the body and thinning of the skin.
The cream was tested to contain betamethasone valerate, a potent steroid, and clotrimazole, an antifungal medicine, said the HSA.
“The steroid also led to recurrent infections as it suppressed her immune system and caused poor developmental growth,” it added.
The infant, who was hospitalised, has since been discharged and is currently undergoing outpatient treatment.
Users of the other three skin creams for the treatment of eczema became concerned about the products when they experienced rapid relief of their condition, which worsened when they stopped using them, said the HSA.
A mother who bought the D’Splendid Kidzema cream for her child’s eczema had observed that it cleared up after only two applications, but worsened three days after she stopped using the cream.
The cream, sold by D’Splendid on its website, at sales booths and other retail outlets, was labelled to relieve skin rashes, eczema, haemorrhoids and mosquito bites for babies and children up to 14 years old, said the HSA.
Tests by the authority found that it contained ciprofloxacin - a prescription-only antibiotic to be used only under medical supervision - and terbinafin, an antifungal medicine not recommended for use in children under the age of 12.
“Inappropriate use of antibiotics and antifungals can lead to decreased effectiveness for future infections,” said the HSA, adding that it has directed the company to stop the sale of the cream and to recall it from retail outlets.
A consumer who had used both CLAĺR DE LUNE P Tuberose day cream and S Involcurata night cream also reported that her eczema flared when she stopped using them, added the authority.
Both cosmetic products, sold on various e-commerce and social media platforms, were marketed to be “antiallergic” as well as have “anti-bacterial” and “anti-inflammatory” properties.
They were, however, found to be “tainted with multiple potent ingredients”, including a steroid in the day cream, an antihistamine in the night cream, antibiotics and anti-fungal medicines in both, said the HSA.
“Use of creams with these potent ingredients can lead to adverse effects, such as thinning of the skin (from prolonged steroid use), skin rash and skin irritation,” it added. “The products also carried false and misleading claims of ‘all-natural plant-based ingredients’ and ‘zero chemical’.”
The HSA said that it has directed website administrators of the local e-commerce platforms to remove the postings for these creams.
Members of the public are advised to see a doctor as soon as possible if they are using these products for eczema, as sudden stopping of the cream may result in the worsening of the condition, or if they have have experienced any adverse effects.
“Exercise caution when purchasing health products for use in babies and children, including those that are applied on the skin such as creams,” it added.
Those who have any information on the sale and supply of adulterated products may contact the HSA's Enforcement Branch at 6866 3485 during office hours or at hsa_is@hsa.gov.sg.
Those who supply such adulterated products containing undeclared potent medicinal ingredients is liable to prosecution. If convicted, they may face a jail term of up to three years or a maximum fine of $100,000, or both.
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