Hydroquinone Side Effects

If you have developed acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) after using hydroquinone cream skin lightener, you should know a link has been found between the two. You should contact a lawyer to find out if you have legitimate grounds for suing the company that makes the hydroquinone you used. A qualified Hydroquinone attorney may be able to help you seek financial compensation for your injuries. Contact us to schedule an evaluation of your case.

Hydroquinone Side Effect Injuries

While hydroquinone can have some relatively mild side effects, the most worrisome side effect of the skin-lightening cream is acute myelogenous leukemia or AML.

AML is a form of cancer that develops in the bone marrow, which is that soft tissue part of the bone where blood cells are formed. The cancer grows from cells that normally would become white blood cells.

The cancer rarely occurs in persons under 40 years of age. It most commonly occurs in people about 60 years of age and is more common in men than in women. The white blood cells in these patients’ bone marrow grow very fast, crowding out healthy blood cells, and the healthy cells, which help to fight infection, eventually lose their function. Persons with this disease are more likely to get infections and they also bleed more easily.

Although it may not be known what causes an individual’s AML, it often can be linked to:

  • Certain chemicals, including benzene
  • Certain drugs used to treat cancer
  • Exposure to radiation
  • Possible genetic problems

Side effects of hydroquinone other than AML include:

  • Redness of the skin
  • Itching
  • Stinging
  • Burning sensation
  • Other kinds of inflammation of the treated areas of the skin

These side effects are not serious, unless they are extreme. If they are severe and persist, it is important to call the doctor.

Serious side effects of hydroquinone indicative of anaphylactic shock or a severe allergic reaction include the following and should be considered an emergency requiring immediate care. These serious side effects include swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.

Hydroquinone Cream and Benzene

Benzene is known to be a cancer-causing agent or carcinogen classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a Category 1 carcinogen. When benzene is broken down in the body, one of its byproducts is hydroquinone.

Studies have shown that this breakdown product of benzene, hydroquinone, affects the structure of chromosomes in the blood-producing area of the bones or the bone marrow. These chromosomal changes in the marrow and the blood cells are associated with acute myelogenous leukemia.

Contact a Hydroquinone Injury Lawyer

If you have used hydroquinone and have diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia, you should contact a hydroquinone injury lawyer. A qualified attorney with experience in these specific cases can help you seek the compensation you need and deserve. Contact us for an evaluation of your case.