Study reveals fairness creams are causing kidney problems in India; all you need to know

The study published in the medical journal Kidney International shows that the huge amount of mercury in fairness creams can cause auto-immune diseases like Membranous Nephropathy (MN), a condition damaging kidney filters and causing protein leakage.

The study examined 22 cases of Membranous Nephropathy reported between July 2021 and September 2023. The findings of the study showed that about 68 per cent or 15 out of the 22 were positive for neural epidermal growth factor, - a rare form of Membranous Nephropathy that is more likely to be associated with malignancy or kidney disorder.

Patients at Aster MIMS Hospital presented subtle symptoms: fatigue, mild edema, and increased frothing of urine. Elevated protein levels were common. One patient had cerebral vein thrombosis, but renal function remained intact for all.

"Mercury gets absorbed through the skin, and wreaks havoc on kidney filters, leading to a surge in nephrotic syndrome cases," one of the researchers Dr Sajeesh Sivadas, Department of Nephrology, Aster MIMS Hospital, Kottakkal, Kerala, wrote in a post on X.com.

He also added these creams, widely available in India's unregulated markets, promise quick results, but at what cost? Users often describe a disturbing addiction, as stopping usage leads to even darker skin,".

Dr. Sajeesh also criticized social media influencers and actors for "endorsing these creams" and "promoting their usage in a lucrative industry."

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