Eczema Skin Creams Can Cause Cancer

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http://www.mercola.com/2005/mar/2/skin_cream_cancer.htm

 

Eczema Skin Creams Can Cause Cancer

 

Eczema

 

Researchers have found a link between increased risks of certain

cancers and the use of two prescription creams commonly used to treat

skin conditions in children has initiated a growing concern among

scientists. This concern prompted scientists to propose adding

stronger warnings to the product labels. The two brands of cream under

investigation are Protopic and Elidel.

 

Although the creams were approved only to be used for a short-term use

for adults and children age 2 and older, the marketers of Elidel

pushed aggressively for a longer indication. One researcher stated

that the product is being heavily advertised without regard for the

potential cancer risks, particularly among young children. The result

of this marketing push is that both creams are being used for longer

than they safely should be among adults and babies.

 

On the contrary, the makers of the Elidel argued that the cream is an

effective steroid-free treatment for mild to moderate eczema and has a

well-established profile.

 

Latest Study Confirms Cancer Link to Creams

 

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Results from the study involving monkeys suggested that the

creams might cause lymphoma, which is defined as a cancer of the

immune system

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At least seven cases of lymphoma have been reported

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At least seven cases of skin cancer and a handful of others have

also been reported

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Several children reported infections, including an 8-month-old

boy whose infection was so severe he suffered a heart attack after

Protopic was applied to his body for six months

 

One researcher suggested the need for regulatory action such as adding

a " black box " warning to the label of the creams.

 

Concerns over the potential dangers of these creams surfaced the same

time the FDA had been dealing with heavy criticism for failure to

protect the public from the blockbuster painkiller Vioxx, which was

recently pulled from pharmacy shelves because of its link to raising

the risk of cardiac complications such as heart attack and strokes.

 

Washingtonpost.com February 12, 2005

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

Sounds like a familiar tune, another announcement from the FDA that

the drugs that they previously approved as safe to use are now fraught

with potential life threatening complications.

 

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is surprisingly common and affects more

than 15 million Americans and 10 percent of all children. It is most

unfortunate that more that 15 million prescriptions were written for

these creams, as eczema is one of the easiest conditions to treat once

you understand human biology.

 

When faced with their child experiencing intense itching (a common

symptom of eczema), most parents' first instinct is to find instant

relief for their child. Typically, the preferred form of conventional

treatment involves prescribing a cream similar to those described in

the study. You can avoid this potentially tragic pattern by using

natural options to resolve this simple problem.

 

Five Simple Lifestyle Shifts to Normalize Common Skin Conditions

 

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One of the first things that can be done is to avoid commercial

pasteurized milk. It is also important to understand that if the child

is breastfeeding mom will also need to switch to real, raw milk.

Pasteurized milk is damaged and can easily contribute to major immune

and skin dysfunctions in the breastfed child.

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Next it will be helpful for the breast-feeding mother and anyone

that has eczema to stop all wheat products. If that is not sufficient

then exclusion of all grains is a useful strategy. I expand on the

reasons for this in Chapter 2 of my new book, Total Health Program.

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Soy formula needs to be stopped immediately. Most commercial

infant formula is close to junk and should also be stopped. If

breastfeeding is not an option, you can use raw milk to produce a

healthy infant formula.

 

After the milk and grain issues are addressed, you can modulate the

mediators of inflammation, prostaglandins, by providing the correct

building blocks for their formation. This means providing beneficial

omega-3 fish oil. Generally, fish oil works best in the summer and cod

liver oil in the winter as it provides extra vitamin D. Those of you

who read the newsletter regularly know I'm a fan of the fish oil and

cod liver oil, as I have seen clear and often substantial improvements

in my patients who use it. Plus, fish and cod liver oil is one of the

few brands that put the extra vitamin E in it for you straight from

the get-go, so you don't have to take extra vitamin E if you don't

want to.

 

You can find the fish oil or cod liver oil at your local health food

store, or, for your convenience, on my Recommended Products section.

 

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One can also use gamma linolenic acid (GLA). This is one of the

few omega-6 fats that are actually useful as a supplement. My personal

preference is to use evening primrose oil rather than borage oil.

Doses are about 1000 to 3000 mg per day.

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Exposure to sunlight on the affected skin is also frequently of

benefit.

 

It is very unusual when the above strategy does not eliminate eczema

and thus the need for potentially toxic drugs. I have seen quite a few

children who suffered from bleeding rashes from head to foot and have

been to the top pediatric university dermatologists in Chicago. I

don't believe there is one child that we have not been able to help

with this problem. If you are not able to achieve relief with the

above suggestions it would be best to find a knowledgeable natural

health care practitioner that can coach you to improvement.

 

Related Articles:

 

Certain Foods Can Cause Allergic Skin Reactions

 

The Miracle Fat for Eczema--GLA

 

Good Bacteria Prevents Eczema in Infants

 

Beneficial Bacteria (Probiotics) During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Helps Protect Against Eczema

 

House Dust Linked to Lower Eczema Risk in Babies

 

If Your Kids Are Too Clean They Can Get Asthma and Eczema, More

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