New Delhi:

The use of skin lightening creams is causing a surge in kidney problems in India, a new study suggests.

Driven by society’s obsession with fair skin, skin fairing creams have a lucrative market in India. However, these creams are known to contain high amounts of mercury, which can damage the kidneys.

The study, published in the medical journal Kidney International, shows that the increasing use of fairness creams with higher mercury content is leading to an increase in cases of membranous nephropathy (MN), a disease that damages kidney filters and causes Protein leakage.

MN is an autoimmune disease that causes nephrotic syndrome, a kidney disease that causes the body to excrete too much protein in the urine.

“Mercury is absorbed through the skin and wreaks havoc on kidney filters, leading to a surge in nephrotic syndrome cases,” Dr. Sajeesh Sivadas, one of the researchers at the Department of Nephrology at Aster MIMS Hospital in Kottakkal, Kerala, wrote in an article. x.com.

“These creams are widely sold in India’s unregulated market, promising quick results, but at what cost? Users often describe a disturbing addiction, as stopping use results in darker skin,” he added road.

The study examined 22 MN cases reported between July 2021 and September 2023.

The patients were admitted to Aster MIMS Hospital with usually mild symptoms, including fatigue, mild edema, and increased urine foam. Only three patients developed severe edema, but all had elevated protein levels in their urine.

One patient developed cerebral venous thrombosis, a blood clot in the brain, but all had preserved kidney function.

The study results showed that about 68% of 22 people, or 15 people, were positive for neuroepidermal growth factor-like 1 protein (NELL-1), a rare form of MN that is more likely to be associated with malignant tumors.

Thirteen of the 15 patients admitted to using skin lightening creams before the onset of symptoms.

Of the remainder, one had a history of using traditional indigenous medicines, while the other had no identifiable triggers.

“Most cases resolve by discontinuing the use of irritating creams. This poses a potential public health risk and it is therefore important to raise public awareness of the dangers of using such products and alert health authorities to curb this menace,” the study personnel said. Paper.

Dr Sajish also accused social media influencers and actors of “endorsing these creams” and “perpetuating their use in a multi-billion dollar industry”.

“This is not just a skin care/kidney health issue; it is a public health crisis. If mercury applied to the skin can cause this harm, imagine the consequences if consumed. The time is now to take immediate action to regulate these harmful product and protect the public’s health,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)