The imported skin creams that are easily accessible by Amazon and usually exported to Asia and Africa pose severe risk on the skin of the patients, finds out a dermatologist in Washington DC.
The cream contains betamethasone, a high-strength steroid sold only by prescription in the US.
The creams are also formally known as Alphatrex, Beta-Val, Betaderm, Betamethacot, and Betanate, Betatrex, Celestone, Del-Beta, Dermabet, Diprolene, Diprosone, Luxiq, Maxivate, Teladar, Uticort, Valisone and Valnac. Although the creams seem to be very normal, they might contain small elements that causes damage.
The high-dose steroids are often used to treat skin conditions, however according to the dermatologist, they can cause severe problems including skin atrophy, acne, severe rashes, infections and systemic reactions. She was further concerned knowing how easily accessible the cream is, based in both local markets of Africa and Amazon and most of the users, unaware of the plausible damage end up purchasing the cream containing betamethasone very often.
Dr. Cynthia Marie Carver DeKlotz, the pediatric and adult dermatologist at Medstar Washington Hospital Center and Medstar Georgetown University Hospital who first treated the patient, and her colleagues reported the product to the Food and Drug Administration. However since her patient stopped using the cream on time no severe damage was done. When interviewed as to why did she feel it was necessary to let the word out about a skin cream she said that most people cause permanent damage to their skin without noticing. Thus it is very important for people to be careful when trying to purchase medicines from online platforms such as amazon without any prescriptions. When she was asked how people can reduce the risk of buying unsafe products, she advised all individuals to consult with their personal doctor about all the products they are using, taking, putting on their skin, taking by mouth. That includes vitamins, herbals, creams, lotions, washes as well.