The use of skin fairness creams in India has been found to be driving a surge in kidney problems, as per a recent study published in the medical journal Kidney International. This trend is fueled by society’s fixation on fair skin, leading to a thriving market for skin fairness creams in the country. However, the high mercury content in these creams is known to have detrimental effects on the kidneys.
The study highlights that the increased use of fairness creams containing significant amounts of mercury is contributing to the rise in cases of Membranous Nephropathy (MN), a condition that damages kidney filters and causes protein leakage. MN is an autoimmune disease that results in nephrotic syndrome, a kidney disorder characterized by excessive protein excretion in urine.
Dr. Sajeesh Sivadas from the Department of Nephrology at Aster MIMS Hospital in Kottakkal, Kerala, emphasized that mercury, when absorbed through the skin via these creams, can wreak havoc on kidney filters, leading to a surge in nephrotic syndrome cases. He raised concerns about the unregulated availability of these creams in the Indian market, noting that while they promise quick results, the consequences can be severe. Users often report a troubling addiction to these products, with discontinuation resulting in even darker skin.
The study analyzed 22 cases of MN reported between July 2021 and September 2023 at Aster MIMS Hospital. Patients presented with symptoms such as fatigue, mild edema, and increased frothing of urine, with elevated protein levels in their urine. One patient developed cerebral vein thrombosis, but renal function remained intact in all cases.
Of the 22 patients, 15 tested positive for neural epidermal growth factor-like 1 protein (NELL-1), a rare form of MN associated with malignancy. Among these 15 patients, 13 had a history of using skin fairness creams prior to the onset of symptoms. The study also highlighted the resolution of most cases upon discontinuation of the implicated creams.
This study underscores the potential public health risk posed by the use of skin fairness creams with high mercury content. It emphasizes the importance of raising public awareness about the hazards associated with such products to safeguard the health of individuals in India.
