California well being officers are warning the general public a few Vietnamese hemorrhoid ointment that’s laced with a “extremely harmful quantity of lead” and has killed a Sacramento girl.
California Well being Division officers mentioned in a written assertion that the lady bought the Vietnamese product in March by means of Fb. A relative then shipped it to her from Vietnam. After utilizing the ointment, the lady skilled signs associated to steer poisoning and died.
The Vietnamese product, in a small, spherical inexperienced container, known as Cao Bôi Trĩ Cây Thầu Dầu (Castor Oil Hemorrhoid Extract). Well being officers mentioned samples of the product confirmed the ointment had about 4% lead, a “extremely harmful quantity.”
Well being officers say it’s unknown if the product is bought in California however are urging residents to not use it or to cease utilizing it if they’ve the cream at house.
“We additionally advocate blood lead testing for all family members, particularly youngsters since they might have contact with the ointment,” officers wrote within the assertion.
Lead will be absorbed by means of the pores and skin, inflicting gentle to reasonable signs corresponding to fatigue, and problem sleeping or concentrating, in addition to extreme signs corresponding to abdomen cramping, seizures and coma.
The Orange County Well being Care Company despatched a public well being alert Monday warning residents in regards to the Vietnamese ointment.
