California woman's fatal poisoning from hemorrhoid cream highlights lead risks


The fatal poisoning of a California resident who had ordered a Vietnamese herbal ointment for hemorrhoids online is a recent example of lead — a dangerous and toxic metal — showing up in imported products. The list in recent months has included items ranging from apple sauce, ground cinnamon and bracelets to sippy cups, water bottles and dark chocolate. 


Local officials issued a public health alert after a woman in Sacramento developed severe lead poisoning and died after using a hemorrhoid ointment from Vietnam called Cao Boi Tri Cay Thau Dau. The California Department of Public Health tested a sample of the ointment and found it contained what it described as "a highly dangerous amount of lead," or 4%, according to the county's alert.


The deceased woman had purchased the ointment on Facebook, and it was mailed to the U.S. by a relative in Vietnam, the agency stated in a news release. It was not immediately clear if people can buy the ointment directly in the U.S. But any consumers with the ointment should stop using it and get their blood tested for lead, California health officials advised.


The product is marketed primarily through Facebook groups in Vietnamese as a so-called "miracle" treatment for hemorrhoids, according to a post by California's Calaveras County Public Health.



Alert posted by Calaveras County Public Health.[size=10]CALAVERAS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH[/size]

FDA tips on prescription drugs and OTC products

"We encourage consumers to remain vigilant, understand the risks, and talk to a health care provider about questions related to prescription drugs and over the counter products, including topical ointments. Additionally, we encourage consumers to research any online pharmacy before using its services," the Food and Drug Administration stated in an email.


The FDA provides tips for buying medicine online, as well as warning signs that an online pharmacy may be an unsafe website. It recommends checking out the agency's BeSafeRx page for more information BeSafeRx: Your Source for Online Pharmacy Information | FDA.

How much of the ointment was she using and over how long that would be fatal? How did they narrow the cause of death was due to this ointment?