Does Gambex cause alopecia?
- By Susan Whitford
- Published 11th November, 2008
- Hair News
- Unrated
Susan Whitford
Susan Whitford has twelve years experience as a health and beauty journalist in the United Kingdom. Susan has worked as a staff writer and features editor on a number of consumer magazines.
Does Gambex cause alopecia?
Gambex, a lice treatment shampoo commonly used in South Africa, has come under fire for potentially causing the hair loss condition alopecia.
The country's Medicines Control Council has recently instigated an investigation into the use of the shampoo, which contains Lindane - a dangerous ingredient used in pesticides. The Council has said it may well remove Gambex from sale if the investigation found that the risk of alopecia outweighed the benefits to the user.
A woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, told South African news website IOL about her daughter's experience with the shampoo: "Nowhere on the container does it warn you that it can cause alopecia. But after doing research I found a warning on www.lindane.com that the adverse effects include hair loss.
"It also warns that the shampoo should be used only if patients failed first-line treatment of safer medications for lice. In South Africa they just dish it out over the counter. How can the Medicines Control Council allow this?"
The woman's 17-year-old daughter is now bald after using the shampoo in primary school to deal with headlice.
The Southern African Pesticides Newsletter reports that Lindane has been banned in 52 countries for general use, and a further 33 countries have severely restricted its use. However, in South Africa Lindane can be purchased from pharmacies without a prescription.
The country's Medicines Control Council has recently instigated an investigation into the use of the shampoo, which contains Lindane - a dangerous ingredient used in pesticides. The Council has said it may well remove Gambex from sale if the investigation found that the risk of alopecia outweighed the benefits to the user.
A woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, told South African news website IOL about her daughter's experience with the shampoo: "Nowhere on the container does it warn you that it can cause alopecia. But after doing research I found a warning on www.lindane.com that the adverse effects include hair loss.
"It also warns that the shampoo should be used only if patients failed first-line treatment of safer medications for lice. In South Africa they just dish it out over the counter. How can the Medicines Control Council allow this?"
The woman's 17-year-old daughter is now bald after using the shampoo in primary school to deal with headlice.
The Southern African Pesticides Newsletter reports that Lindane has been banned in 52 countries for general use, and a further 33 countries have severely restricted its use. However, in South Africa Lindane can be purchased from pharmacies without a prescription.