Skin creams containing paraffin have reportedly caused 37 deaths in England in the last decade

Medical manufacturers have sent out warnings to eczema skin cream users, as some users have reported that they have caused fires, and consequently 37 deaths.

The majority of skin creams contain paraffin which can soak into bedding and clothes, and therefore make them more flammable. In November 2007, the NHS webpage alerted healthcare staff involved in prescribing, dispensing or administration of paraffin-based skin products of a potential fire hazard. The page states that paraffin-based products – e.g. emulsifying ointment – are easily ignited with a naked flame or a cigarette, so users should take caution when using them.

Risk has been around for some 10 years…

This isn’t the first time that deaths have been linked to paraffin-based products. Following a reported death in 2007, the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) commissioned the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to undertake fire hazard testing with white soft paraffin on a variety of bandages, dressings, and clothing. The HSE produced a report named ‘Fire hazards associated with contamination of dressings and clothing by paraffin based ointments’.

Maybe this report would’ve saved the lives of the skin cream users if it was more widely publicised…

Manufacturers to update their labels

The UK’s medicines regulator – the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) – are responsible for ensuring that medicines meet applicable standards of safety; are not faulty; and work as they should. The MHRA updated their guidance to say that all creams containing paraffin should carry the flammable warning.

Deaths

According to the Independent, warnings have been circulated for the past decade; however, an investigation conducted by BBC Radio 5 live found that there have been 37 deaths related to the creams in England since 2010.

The investigation found that a 63-year-old man named Christopher Holyoake died following the use of the skin cream. The inquest heard that his bedding had been covered with residue from E45 cream, which contains paraffin. Christopher caught fire as a result of smoking a cigarette; the cream is thought to have acted as an accelerant, which increases the intensity and speed of the fire. This is thought to leave the user with little or no chance of surviving. Unless action is taken, there’s a risk that future deaths will occur if none is taken.

Correct labelling necessary

The investigation found that E45 cream didn’t have any fire warning on its packaging. After a decade of warnings from various medicine and healthcare regulators, you’d have thought that “highly flammable” would’ve been on the label. Unfortunately it wasn’t, and arguably preventable deaths have been caused.

The BBC reports that E45 will add the “highly flammable” warning label on some of its products, which will be available in a month.

Prevention techniques?

John Smith, the CEO of a trade association which represents the manufacturers of branded-over-the-counter medicines, advised healthcare workers to exercise caution where they’re applying significant volumes of emollients to patients who smoke or may be near naked flames. He added that consumers who use skin creams containing paraffin should ensure that bedding and clothing is washed regularly to remove any build-up of residue.

Borough commander for London’s Wandsworth Fire Station, Darren Munro, has been campaigning to raise awareness. He notes that he’s personally attended to four of the fatalities:

“…the creams themselves aren’t dangerous, it only becomes dangerous when you mix it in with other factors.”

This is a big indicator that the burden lies with manufacturers to label the packaging and creams properly to ensure that the consumer is well-aware of the risks. Let’s hope that manufacturers will add the warning labels as a matter of urgency, as to prevent further fatalities.