Objective To determine whether Chinese herbal creams used for the treatment
of dermatological conditions contain steroids.
Design 11 herbal creams obtained from patients attending general and paedia
tric dermatology outpatient clinics were analysed with high resolution gas
chromatography and mass spectrometry
Setting Departments of dermatology and clinical biochemistry
Main outcome measure Presence of steroid.
Results Eight creams contained dexamethasone at a mean concentration of 456
mu g/g (range 64 to 1500 mu g/g). All were applied to areas of sensitive s
kin such as face and flexures.
Conclusion Greater regulation needs to be imposed on Chinese herbalists to
prevent illegal and inappropriate prescribing of potent steroids.