Popular skin creams linked to hundreds of fire-related deaths
AN INGREDIENT found in a number of popular skin creams — particularly those used to treat eczema and psoriasis — has been linked to hundreds of fire-related deaths.
POPULAR creams used to treat common skin complaints may be linked to hundreds of fire-related deaths, a chief firefighter has warned.
Lotions containing paraffin, an ingredient that is often used to treat conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, are safe to use on skin, but also extremely flammable.
When creams containing paraffin soak into fabrics such as clothes, bandages or bedding it can make them more susceptible to catching fire.
Senior firefighter for the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Chris Bell told the BBC that if these items come into contact with a heat source there is a high chance they will catch alight.
"34 seconds and the material's perished"
— BBC Radio 5 live (@bbc5live) February 11, 2018
Fire tests show the dangers of paraffin based skin cream pic.twitter.com/22jPet7n1A
“People are using paraffin-based skin products to treat eczema and psoriasis and various other skin creams, putting it all over their bodies and different parts of themselves — treating themselves for those different skin conditions,” he said.
“But unfortunately, that cream can get into fabrics, clothing, bandages and dressings, and become flammable.
“The creams are safe to use in their own right, but if that person is exposed to a naked flame or some other heat source, they can go up.”
This revelation comes after aBBC investigation found that 37 deaths could be linked to paraffin creams in England since 2010, but it is now thought the number may be far higher.
Mr Bell said that, while the exact number of deaths linked to these creams are not known, it is likely to be hundreds.
“Hundreds of thousands of people use them, we’re not sure how many fire deaths might have occurred but it could be into the hundreds,” he said.
Certain products containing paraffin can only be purchased from a pharmacy but many can also be easily purchased from supermarkets.
The creams are safe to use as intended but people have been warned not to smoke or have naked flames near anything that could cause a fire if the product comes into contact with fabric.