California health authorities reported a tragic incident where a woman died after using a Vietnamese hemorrhoid ointment containing dangerous levels of lead.
The California Department of Public Health, in conjunction with the Orange County Health Care Agency, disclosed that the woman suffered “severe” lead poisoning.
The ointment, identified as Cao Bôi Tr Cây Thầu Dầu, has prompted urgent warnings against its use.
“Due to the risk of lead poisoning, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) urges users of the Vietnamese hemorrhoid ointment called Cao Bôi Tr Cây Thầu Dầu (Castor Oil Hemorrhoid Extract) to immediately stop using the ointment and to get their blood tested for lead,” a news release stated.
Laboratory tests revealed that the ointment contains 4% lead, which health officials consider “highly dangerous.”
The victim, a Sacramento resident, acquired the ointment via a Facebook purchase, with a family member in Vietnam sending it to her in the U.S. It remains uncertain whether the ointment is directly available for purchase within the U.S.
In a social media update, Calaveras County Public Health highlighted that the ointment was frequently promoted in Vietnamese Facebook groups as a “miracle” hemorrhoid treatment.
Health agencies have advised anyone possessing the ointment to seal it in a plastic bag and contact them immediately.
They also recommend that individuals who have used the ointment or may have been exposed to it seek medical attention immediately.
According to the California Department of Public Health, symptoms of lead poisoning can range from mild to severe and include fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, severe stomach cramps, and in extreme cases, seizures, coma, and death.
Exposure to any amount of lead is considered harmful.
