Hospital doctors warn of growing number of gruesome skin infections linked to Vitamin IV drips loved by Kendall Jenner
Experts have warned of rising cases of serious infections linked to vitamin IV drips, a favorite among celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Chrissy Teigen.
The treatments consist of infusions or injections of vitamins such as A, B12 and C, which are said to be absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly than capsules.
Clinics in the US offer the infusions, which cost between $100 and $400 per session, and claim they bring a range of benefits, from helping fight infections to curing hangovers.
But now doctors working in Texas hospitals have warned of an increase in admissions linked to the treatments.
Dr. Richina Bicette-McCain, an emergency room physician at Baylor College of Medicine, told NBC News that she is seeing a growing number of concerning reactions to vitamin drops.
Model Chrissy Teigen often speaks about the vitamin infusions she says give her a host of health benefits, but experts say they're too risky
“One of the most common complications we see is infection, usually at the site of the IV placement,” she said.
The warnings come amid reports of young women experiencing alarming complications.
In 2021, aspiring wellness influencer Bea Amma visited a medical spa in California to boost her energy and burn body fat.
She received more than 100 injections of vitamins B12 and C, which have been shown to keep blood and nerve cells healthy and boost immunity.
The treatment was injected into her arms, abdomen and lower back.
Mrs. Amma, who was 24 at the time, related it NBC News: 'They told me that the more parts of my body they injected, the better.'
Within 24 hours she felt dizzy and feverish, and the injection sites all began to ooze pus.
Bea Amma from California went to a medical spa in 2021 and suffered from a serious infection known as Mycobacterium abscessus, which affects only one in 100,000 Americans
Ms. Amma, who was 24 at the time, told NBC News, “They told me the more parts of my body they injected, the better.” Within 24 hours she felt dizzy and feverish, and the injection sites all began to ooze pus
“Everything that touched my skin was unbearable,” she said. “My whole body felt like it was on fire.”
Tests showed that Ms Amma had contracted Mycobacterium abscessus, an aggressive bacteria found in water, soil and dust. It has also been found in contaminated medical equipment, such as improperly sterilized needles.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an infection by Mycobacterium absecessus can cause the skin to feel red, warm, tender, swollen and painful.
Other symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches and a general feeling of illness, also called malaise.
The infection affects only one in 100,000 Americans.
Kendall Jenner has also documented using IV therapy to recover from Long Covid
The Los Angeles County Public Health Department investigated Ms. Amma's case, but the results were “inconclusive.” She was hospitalized and given five courses of antibiotics.
Ms Amma now has permanent scars and has to undergo strict antibiotic treatment.
She's not the only customer to fall victim to the craze.
Despite receiving the treatment on an episode of The Kardashians, Kendall Jenner was hospitalized four years earlier due to complications from an IV.
The 28-year-old reportedly received a vitamin drip before appearing at the 2018 Oscars, but ended up in hospital after a 'bad reaction'.
Getting too many vitamins in IV drips, which often contain vitamins B, C and D, may have little benefit because the body cannot retain excess amounts
Last month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned against “fat-dissolving” infusion treatments at these medical spas, saying some facilities were improperly mixing products without proper sterilization.
Risks include permanent scarring, serious infections, skin deformities, cysts and painful nodes, according to the agency.
According to the CDC, people “who receive injections without improper skin disinfection are at risk for infection.”
Are all vitamin drops dangerous?
Experts say using sterilized equipment significantly reduces the chance of complications.
However, even sterile IV feeding therapy is not without risk.
The drops often contain vitamins A, D and E, which are known to support vision, bone health and immune function.
But the body takes a long time to break down these vitamins, which means giving them in large doses can be harmful.
For example, getting a single high dose of vitamin D – essential for bone health – could cause a loss of bone density.
Studies suggest this is due to vitamin D supplementation which increases the production of osteoclasts – cells that break down bone tissue.
Meanwhile, an overdose of vitamin A – which supports vision, the immune system and the skin – can cause blurred vision, nausea, headaches and fatigue.
Many drops also contain vitamin C, a crucial nutrient the body needs to form blood vessels, cartilage, muscle and collagen. It also helps protect cells from disease and supports immune system health.
Dr. Carolyn Williams, a registered dietitian in Alabama and co-host of the Happy Eating podcast, previously told DailyMail.com that while vitamin C is essential for supporting immune health, most Americans get enough of it through their diets.
'Even if you're not on the best diet, vitamin C is quite simple [nutrient] to get,” she said. “It's always best if you can get it from food.”
Because the body cannot retain excessive amounts of vitamin C, the extra amount is filtered out through the urine, which Dr. Williams could make additional supplements 'useless'.
She said: 'Any excess literally goes down the toilet.'