Methyl Salicylate

[Michaela]

Dear Alan,

I don't know if this topic has been discussed before, but i have used a retinol based moisturizer and I am really worried about this now.

We all know that we have to stay away from vitamin A ( scientiffically called retinol ) during pregnancy and whilst I knew that very well, i wasn't aware that the moisturizer I was using during the first three months of my pregnancy contained vitamin A ( retinol ) . I didn't know that it contained retinol as I didn't know vitamin A is called retinol. I remember using this cream for about a month during the first trimester, night and day, on my face skin.

I am worried that this might have affected the baby ( I am 26 weeks pregnant now ) and it is my first baby. The morfology scan that I had at 19 weeks showed that everything was normal with the baby, but I cannot stop worrying.
Do you know anything about how this can affect the fetus?

Thank you,
Michaela

[juleswa]

My DH has got a really bad shoulder at the moment so I give him a rub with Dencorub last night (that turned out to be out of date) just before bed - so went to bed with him smelling like Dencorub, and then gave him a rub with Deep Heat today.

I would imagine my exposure would be minimal as it was only on my hands for probably about half an hour, but then smelling it most of the night.

Alan - would love a bit of reassurance it's ok. Maybe coincidence, but my usually active bubs is unusually quiet today (i'm 30 weeks). I'm telling my paranoid brain everything is fine, but..........

sorry

[Alan]

Hi Michaela
Your baby will be fine. Although Retinol (vitamin A) can cause birth defects if used in early pregnancy when used on the skin it is very poorly absorbed. The amounts that got through to you baby would be zero or very very small.

Hi Juleswa
At 30 weeks your baby is just about fully formed, you will not have caused any harm. However, just to play safe I would suggest that if DH needs another rub use gloves and make him sleep on the lounge

[Alan]

Juleswa
I forgot to add that it is not unusual for your baby's movements to slow later in your pregnancy. Also baby's will often have a day or two where they just rest. As long as you are getting some movements (about 10 in 12 hours everything is normal

[Michaela]

Thanks, Alan
It's hard not to worry and sometimes I wish there was a way for me to see thorugh my belly day and night and check to make sure all is fine

[juleswa]

I second that Michaela

Thanks heaps Alan for answering all our sometimes 'paranoid pregnant women' questions, you answers are always trusted.

[meckhan]

hi Alan,

I'm 5 weeks pregnant now and having severe back pains and it's killing me.. what i want to know is if the ointment im using now to cure the pain is safe.. the ointment contains 8.0% of Methyl Salicylate, 2.6% Camphor and 7.5% of Menthol..

[Alan]

Hi Meckhan
I would not recommend using any cream that contains Methyl Salicylate. If you like the warming sensation this cream gives I would suggest that you use a hot pack.