Medicine Cabinet Deceptions – Your Health Detective

That article report set me on an investigative mission, since many of my clients are, let’s say, “In their golden years.” Once my search for clues began, I was amazed at what I found. Many of my clients still had old bottles of the stuff that had been sitting around for over 30 years. I called a pharmacist to find out what age does to the potency of Merthiolate. He warned me that as it ages it actually becomes stronger and could potentially burn the skin; he didn’t mention that it contained Thimerosal, as we know is a preservative containing mercury. Since Merthiolate is used as a common skin antiseptic, my findings are important to report to you, my readers.

If you, or someone you know, still have old bottles of Merthiolate collecting dust in their medicine cabinet, alert them of the dangers of use and improper disposal. Don’t just toss it in the trash. Contact your local waste management district because anything containing mercury is considered hazardous waste according to the EPAs Universal Waste Rules.

Historical Perspective
Mercury was a commonly used ingredient in skin antiseptics prior to 1999 – used as a preservative in vaccines. Mercury is still found in some vaccines, eye drops and nasal formulas.
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), “Given everything we’ve learned over the past 30 year about mercury’s ability to damage brain function at even low levels, it’s hard to believe it’s still used, even in cosmetics. But it is.”

In The Blink of an Eye
I’m providing two specific examples below so that my readers begin the process of investigating toxic substances they may not be aware of – read labels!

The investigative search by EWG discovered that Paula Dorf mascara, listed “Thimerosal” as the mercury preservative. Just consider the consequences if a little mascara gets in your eyes or face when it clumps or as it’s washed off.

The following are the ingredients in the Paula Dorf Cake Mascara, Foxy, according to investigative reports conducted by EWG:

Ingredients in this product are linked to:

Cancer Developmental/reproductive toxicity Violations, restrictions & warnings Allergies/immuno-toxicity

Other concerns for ingredients used in this product:

Neurotoxicity, Endocrine disruption, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Multiple, additive exposure sources, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns, Occupational hazards, Biochemical or cellular level changes

Ingredients as it appears on packaging: STEARIC ACID, TRIETHANOLAMINE, BEESWAX, SHELLAC, PVP/HEXADECENE COPOLYMER, CYCLOMETHICONE, PROPYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN, THIMEROSAL, MAY CONTAIN: IRON OXIDES

Trauma Gel: Solution or Saboteur?
The following ointment is sold widely for muscle aches, pains, and strains – absorbed transdermally. It is manufactured by Heel Inc., under the brand BHI.
Ingredients in this product are linked to:
Cancer Developmental/reproductive toxicity Violations, restrictions & warnings Allergies/immuno-toxicity

Other concerns for ingredients used in this product:
Neurotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Multiple, additive exposure sources, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns, Occupational hazards, Biochemical or cellular level changes

Ingredients as it appears on packaging: ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: EACH 100 G OF OINTMENT CONTAINS: CALENDULA OFFICINALIS 1X, HAMAMELIS VIRGIANA 1X, ARNICA MONTANA RADIX 3X 1.50 G EACH; ACONITUM NAPELLUS 3X, BELLADONNA 3X 1.00 G EACH; BELLIS PERENNIS 1X, CHAMOMILLA 1X, ECHINACEA ANGUSTIFOLIA 1X, ECHINACEA PURPUREA 1X 0.50 G EACH; MILLEFOLIUM 1X 0.30 G; HEPAR SULPHURIS CALCAREUM 8X 0.25 G; MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS 8X 0.12 G; SYMPHYTUM OFFICINALE 4X 0.10 G; HYPERICUM PERFORATUM 6X 0.09 G. INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: PURIFIED WATER, PARAFFIN, WHITE PETROLATUM, ETHANOL AND CETYLSTEARYL ALCOHOL.

Directions from packaging: Adults, children and infants: Apply ointment generously to affected areas 2 to 3 times daily, or more often if necessary, by rubbing gently into the skin. If appropriate, mild compression or occlusive bandaging may be applied.

An argument can be made by those familiar with Homeopathics that mercury suspended in this method is not toxic. Being a homeopathic myself, I understand their defense; however, it’s really a matter of bioaccumulation that must be considered.

Examples of eye and nasal products containing Thimerosal
Antibiotics for the Eye Cortisporin® Ophthalmic SuspensionNeosporin® Ophthalmic SolutionNasal Preparations Nasal Moist® AFNeo-Synephrine® Pediatric Formula, Mild Formula, Regular Strength, and Extra Strength Nasal SprayEar Preparations Coly-mycin® S OticCortisporin® Otic SuspensionPediotic® SuspensionCosmetics L’Oreal® Miracle Wear MascaraStagelight® MascaraVaccines Hep-B-Gammagee®Recombivax HB®Hyper-Tet®

Tetanus and diphtheria toxoid

It’s challenging, but not impossible, to live healthy in a world intent of bombarding us with toxic ingredients. Keep in mind that the only was we can reverse disorders, or prevent them, is by employing my mantra that there is only “health through education,” naturally.

To consult with Dr. Gloria via telephone worldwide or at the Institute for Wholistic Rejuvenation in

Sandpoint, Idaho, USA,

complete the new client forms at www.gloriagilbere.com and submit electronically. As soon as our office staff receives your completed forms, we will contact you either by email or telephone to schedule a consultation. Dr. Gloria even pays for the call if you’re in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Western Europe, and many other countries. For more information, visit our website at www.gloriagilbere.com.

Your Partner in Health,
Dr. Gloria

ResourcesFDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration “Mercury in Drug and Biologic Products”;List derived from mfg’s after agency’s call-for-data on 12.14.98 (63 FR 68775)Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological profile for mercury. Atlanta, GA: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry;1999. Enviroblog, “Mercury in your medicine cabinet” J. Ruzicic, 1.30.09 www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/whatnottobuy/
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/product/25846/Paula_Dorf_Cake_Mascara_for_Eyes%2C_Foxy/
http://www.anapsid.org/cnd/diffdx/mercurysources.html
Earth911.com/hazardous/mercury/
www.epa.gov/mercury/index.html
www.atsdr.cdc.gov
www.osha.gov