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Unregistered Modeling Ointments Cause Eye Injuries and Adverse Reactions, Warns the Secretary of Rio.
The significant increase in eye injuries associated with the use of modeling ointments prompted the Municipal Health Secretariat of Rio to issue a warning during the year-end holiday period.
The problem mainly affected children and adolescents between Christmas and New Year’s Eve when the use of these products intensifies due to the heat, beach and pool baths, and increased sweating.
Health authorities observed a significant rise in emergency visits, driven primarily by accidental contact of the ointments with the eyes.
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Emergency Visits for Eye Injuries Increase by Up to 70% in a Few Days
Between December 25 and 29, the urgent and emergency units in the capital of Rio recorded 533 notifications related to adverse eye reactions.
The daily average reached 107 visits, a jump of approximately 70% compared to the previous week when the number was around 60 cases per day.
These data highlight the seriousness of the problem and lead authorities to treat modeling ointments as a public health risk during festive periods.
Symptoms Range from Mild Irritation to Risk of Temporary Blindness
The main symptoms reported by patients include intense itching, redness, burning, swelling, and eye irritation.
In more severe situations, vision becomes blurred, and the patient reports difficulty seeing, which requires immediate medical attention.
According to experts, contact with the product can cause chemical keratitis, conjunctivitis, and even corneal burns, conditions that, although generally reversible, can lead to temporary blindness if not treated quickly.
Heat, Sweat, and Water Increase the Risk of Modeling Ointments
The risk considerably increases in hot environments, common in Rio’s summer.
Sweat, seawater, pool water, or even rain can cause modeling ointments to run from the hair to the face, easily reaching the eye area.
Since 2023, the Municipal Health Secretariat of Rio had already identified this pattern of increasing cases during events
such as Carnival, Christmas, and New Year’s, periods marked by intensive use of aesthetic products.
Products Without Registration at Anvisa Are the Main Problem
According to health professionals, the greatest risk factor lies in the use of products without registration at Anvisa, whose chemical composition does not undergo rigorous control.
The lack of standardization makes it difficult to predict the reactions these substances can cause when they come into contact with the ocular mucosa.
The official recommendation is to use only products properly approved by regulatory agencies, such as Anvisa, which is responsible for overseeing the safety of cosmetics sold in the country.
Expert Explains Why Injuries Occur
Ophthalmologist Vitor Cerqueira, from the Municipal Hospital Souza Aguiar, a reference for ophthalmic emergency care
explains that the problem is directly linked to the unknown composition of these products.
“These ointments are products with varied chemical compositions and without control by regulatory agencies. It is a difficult standardization, with several unregulated manufacturers.
But they all have one thing in common: they melt upon contact with liquids, including sweat. This causes the product to reach the eye area in abundance, causing the injury,” explains the specialist.
Guidelines to Prevent Eye Injuries During Summer
In addition to avoiding irregular modeling ointments, doctors advise extra care for those who have already used the product.
Recommendations include washing the hair carefully, preventing water from running into the eyes, and avoiding beach or pool bathing or exposure to rain immediately after application.
“The ideal is not to use products that are not approved by regulatory agencies, but if you have used them, wash your hair without letting the water run into the eye area.
Be careful not to get caught in the rain, and do not dive into the sea or pool,” warns the doctor.
Warning Reinforces the Importance of Conscious Cosmetic Choices
The increase in cases of eye injuries highlights the need for greater consumer attention in choosing cosmetics, especially during the summer.
The Municipal Health Secretariat of Rio states that responsible use of products and verifying their registration are simple yet essential measures.
to avoid adverse reactions in the eyes and preserve the ocular health of the population.
Therefore, during festive periods and high temperatures, prevention begins with information, conscious choices, and adherence to medical guidelines.
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