The number of adverse reactions linked to cosmetic products more than doubled last year.
A new study went to reveal that the number of reports concerning adverse reactions traced back to cosmetic products more than doubled last year when compared to 2015. Also, most such complaints seemingly target hair care products.
The research paper and its results are available in the JAMA Internal Medicine.
Cosmetic Products, More Dangerous than Might be Believed?
Northwestern University researchers conducted this new study. These looked at and analyzed data collected by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in between 2004 to 2016. This set up a special system for this same purpose, called the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition’s Adverse Event Reporting System.
This allows any health care professional or consumer to submit a report or complaint about any problem traced back to their use of cosmetic products.
There were 706 such adverse reaction events in 2015. The following year, the value more than doubled and reached 1,591. Both numbers were also significantly higher when compared to the 12-years average number. There was a 78 percent such increase for 2015 and a 300 percent for last year.
Dr. Steve Xu, who led the study, nonetheless considers that even these value are somewhat low. More precisely, he believes that quite a number of adverse reactions probably weren’t recorded. Dr. Xu also believes that more data on the matter is still needed.
“These numbers are likely underreported. We need better reporting, from both consumers and clinicians,” stated Xu.
The lead then continued by saying that one of the principal purposes of this new study was to point out this very same thing. Xu and his colleagues consider that the collection of data about personal care products should be expanded and modernized.
He also stated that one of the “key points” was that without measuring the effects, they cannot manage the adverse reactions.
As it is, the FDA will continue encouraging and advising both consumers and professionals to report any problem or adverse reactions generated by the use of cosmetic products.
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