title: Analysis of Chinese herbal creams prescribed for dermatological conditions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether Chinese herbal creams used for the treatment of dermatological conditions contain steroids.
  
  
  METHODS
  11 herbal creams obtained from patients attending general and pediatric dermatology outpatient clinics were analyzed with high resolution gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.
  
  
  METHODS
  Departments of dermatology and clinical biochemistry. ;
  
  
  METHODS
  Presence of steroid.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight creams contained dexamethasone at a mean concentration of 456 mug/g (range 64 to 1500 mug/g). All were applied to areas of sensitive skin such as face and flexures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Greater regulation needs to be imposed on Chinese herbalists to prevent illegal and inappropriate prescribing of potent steroids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Keane
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Munn
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Vivier
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Higgins
authors.forename: N F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Taylor