Health
SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is warning consumers to avoid using skin creams in unlabeled or hand-labeled containers brought from Mexico, after reports of mercury poisoning associated with these products.
These creams are used for lightening the skin, fading freckles, blemishes and age spots, and treating acne.
They come in containers without labels or with hand-made labels. Some creams are light in color and turn dark grey/green after prolonged exposure to light.
Some of them have contained more than 200,000 times the legal limit of mercury.
In the last four years, at least 60 people in California have been affected by the use of these creams. They include children and babies who became very sick from contact with the mercury contamination in their homes or through skin contact with family members who used the products.
Children and pregnant women are especially sensitive to the toxic effects of mercury.
In addition to this consumer warning, CDPH is also working with its local, state and federal public health partners to warn people in California and Mexico about this serious health risk.
CDPH has sent an alert to health care professionals, advising them to be aware of the symptoms of mercury poisoning.
CDPH also has created a one-page fact sheet that is available in English, http://www.ehib.org/papers/MercuryCream_5_1_14_for_Mexico_En.pdf , and Spanish, http://www.ehib.org/papers/MercuryCream_5_1_14_for_Mexico_Sp.pdf , for sharing with patients or the general public.
Common signs of mercury poisoning in adults include irritability or depression, nervousness, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, shaking or weakness, tingling or numbness in hands, feet, or around the mouth.
In children, common signs and symptoms of mercury poisoning include irritability, anorexia, sleeplessness, poor muscle tone or weakness, leg cramps, hypertension, rash, excessive salivation or thirst, peeling skin, pink hands and feet, and gingivitis.
If you or your children have any of these symptoms and are using a skin-lightening or acne cream from Mexico, stop using the cream immediately and consult your health care provider about being tested for mercury poisoning.
For free medical advice in English or Spanish, call California Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Poison Control experts can also advise you on how to safely dispose of these creams.
More information about mercury poisoning from homemade skin creams, including materials in English and Spanish, is available on the CDPH Web site, www.cdph.ca.gov .
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – As part of its commitment to helping the community learn about health, on May 7, St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake sponsored a free Get Your Health Back seminar at the Middletown Senior Center.
The seminar featured three highly skilled physicians presenting the newest advances in two subjects of critical concern for citizens of Lake County, weight management and chronic pain.
Over the course of two hours, 64 community members had an opportunity to listen to and talk with some of the area’s top physicians in these fields.
“This is not only about quality of life, but also longevity of life,” said David Santos, vice president of operations at St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake. “The good news is that people can make huge improvements in their overall health just by making simple lifestyle changes. Our goal is to help people learn what steps they can take today, so they can feel better and live longer.”
Corey Warner, MD, an internal medicine specialist from St. Helena Medical Specialties in Hidden Valley Lake, discussed the challenges and importance of weight loss, and explained the difference a medically supervised weight management program can make.
Highly regarded by his peers, Dr. Warner has helped hundreds of patients regain their health and a sense of control over their lives through a whole-person approach to weight management.
For those who have tried traditional weight loss efforts without success, Richard Parent, MD, presented the latest information on surgical options for weight loss.
A general surgeon who specializes in general, laparoscopic and bariatric surgery, Dr. Parent also has an extensive background in diabetes.
His presentation focused on new advances in weight loss surgery, including the gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric banding, and how these procedures can be a crucial step to resolving health issues and regaining quality of life.
Pari Azari, MD, a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation and pain management, presented on ways to prevent chronic pain – migraines, back pain, injuries, joint damage, or chronic illness – from limiting activity and taking over life.
From dietary and medical options to rehabilitation and minimally invasive treatments, her presentation outlined practical ways to relieve pain and return to an active life.
This seminar is just one of many steps St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake is taking to help the community learn about health and the steps they can take to live a healthier life.
For more information visit www.StHelenaHospitals.org .
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