California woman dies from using hemorrhoid cream she bought on Facebook that was laced with toxic metal, shutting down her organs

A woman has died after using hemorrhoid ointment containing toxic metal.

The patient, who lived in Sacramento, California, had purchased the treatment on Facebook, which was then shipped from Vietnam to the US.

But after using the cream, she suffered “severe lead poisoning,” officials said — which in severe cases can cause seizures, swelling in the brain and organ failure.

Tests showed the product contained four percent lead – thousands of times above the safe limit.

It comes amid recalls for a range of products contaminated with lead in the US, including baby applesauce pouches, sippy cups and even warnings about dark chocolate.

Above you can see the cream called Cao Boi Tri Cay Thau Dau, which the woman had used

Officials are urging people not to buy the treatment – called Cao Boi Tri Cay Thau Dau – and to throw away the product they have at home.

The matter came to light through a cream alert in Sacramento.

But other details, such as the woman’s name or when she was admitted to the hospital, were not revealed.

Officials said the cream was being sold in mainly Vietnamese-language Facebook groups as a so-called “miracle treatment” for hemorrhoids.

The woman had a family member pick up the cream before sending it to the U.S., officials said.

“If you or anyone you know is using this (product),” officials said, “we strongly recommend that you discontinue use immediately and consult a healthcare provider for lead testing.”

Officials said the cream was being sold in mainly Vietnamese-language Facebook groups as a so-called ‘miracle treatment’ for hemorrhoids

According to the FDA, the maximum safe level for lead in cosmetics is 10 parts per million (ppm). But the cream was found to contain 39,000 ppm lead – equivalent to 3,900 times the safe limit.

The California Department of Public Health issued a warning about the ointment on April 10.

At least 10 million Americans suffer every year from hemorrhoids, or swollen and inflamed veins in the rectum that can cause discomfort and pain.

Doctors say they can be caused by straining during bowel movements, chronic constipation, obesity and even sitting for long periods of time.

There are several over-the-counter treatment options available in the US, including Anusol, which can cost $20 per tube.

Officials warn that consuming lead in any amount poses a health risk.

This is because it is easily absorbed into the bloodstream and then spreads throughout the body, where it can wreak havoc on organs.

They said it can disrupt communication between the nerves and the meninges, causing a range of neurological problems, including memory loss, muscle pain and severe headaches.

Lead can also bind to red blood cells and stop them from carrying oxygen, putting patients at risk for organ failure.

Lead poisoning is especially dangerous in children and pregnant women, and is linked to a range of problems, including delayed development in infants.

Sources of lead poisoning include paint, drinking water if it has flowed through lead pipes, and certain cosmetics.