Tiger balm can be dangerous ?

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Anchor Moy
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Tiger balm can be dangerous ?

Post by Anchor Moy »

It's not something that I'd thought much about, but this report underlines the fact that products such as tiger balm can be dangerous for children under 2 years of age.
Tiger balm is very much the all round remedy in Cambodia. Who would have thought it could be harmful ? Except of course, in delicate areas such as your eyes, nose, ears or on your genitals. Or, on your baby's skin apparently.

Parents using toxic balms on babies: report
Fri, 8 July 2016
Erin Handley and Kong Meta

Cambodian parents are commonly using medicinal balms and oils such as “Tiger Balm” on their newborn children despite potentially toxic effects, according to a new report.

The report in the Journal of Tropical Pediatrics questioned 27 mothers on using products containing camphor, eucalyptus oil and menthol and observed four more using the products. “Tiger Balm”-like products are not recommended for children under 2 years old “because of the potential for accidental ingestion and the danger of over-absorption through vulnerable skin”, the report said.

“Numerous case reports describe infant morbidity, and even mortality, resulting from exposure to camphor and terpenic oil products . . . Despite significant potential for toxicity in children, these products remain widely available and popular.”

The study also highlighted that warnings are often written in Chinese, Thai or English instead of Khmer...
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/p ... ies-report
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