37 die in blazes caused by paraffin in skin creams
SKIN creams containing paraffin have been linked to 37 deaths from fire across Britain in the past decade.
The products are used to treat conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
If people use the creams regularly but do not often change clothes or bedding, paraffin residue can soak into the fabric, making it flammable.
Carol Hoe’s husband Philip died after setting himself on fire when sparks from a cigarette reacted with the emollient cream he was slathered in.
Philip, 60, died after suffering 90 per cent burns at Doncaster Royal Infirmary in 2006 as he was being treated for psoriasis.
Carol, 66, said: “He had sneaked off on to a landing for a cigarette. A gust of wind must have caught the lighter, and it set fire to him.” Within seconds Mr Hoe was engulfed in flames and he died shortly after being transferred to a hospital in Sheffield.
The coroner at his inquest drew attention to the dangers posed by skin creams, and the now defunct National Patient Safety Agency advised that paraffin-based products are easily ignited with a naked flame if used in large quantities.
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has updated its guidance and says all creams containing paraffin should carry a warning.
But more than a decade after her husband died, Carol said warnings should have been made sooner. She added: “I’m really angry because at the inquest, the coroner said that further steps should be taken to give people warnings. And for nearly 40 more deaths to happen after Philip, I just can’t understand it.”
In 2015 Christopher Holyoake, 63, died in Leicester after he was set on fire because his bedding was covered in residue from dermatological cream E45.
When the flame from his cigarette lighter came into contact with the bedding, the residue acted as an accelerant – giving Mr Holyoake little chance.
A spokesman for E45 said: “All our labelling is compliant with regulatory guidelines.” It was updating the labelling to include guidance on potential flammability and this would be fully implemented by the summer.
It would include advice to regularly change clothing, bedding or dressings when using large quantities, and to keep away from naked flames.