Mum, 47, feared for her life after taking £25 ‘Barbie tan drug’
A mum says she feared for her life after buying and using a £25 nasal tanning spray called the ‘Barbie drug’.
Edith Eagle, 47, from Kings Lynn, Norfolk, was left struggling to breathe when her faced ballooned after using the product.
She took it five days before a family holiday to Fuerteventura in April last year and woke up on the second day of the holiday with a swollen face.
The mum-of-four was taken to hospital where she was treated with a high dosage of steroids.
Edith, who owns a wedding business with her husband Carl Fox, believes she suffered an allergic reaction to something in the product.
While it is unclear whether the nasal tanning spray contained melanotan, it is illegal to sell or advertise these products in the UK but it is legal to buy it.
Melanotan accelerates tanning by stimulating the pigment cells in skin to produce more melanin, which can make the skin look darker, hence why it is nicknamed the ‘Barbie drug’.
Edith said there were no ingredients on the label so she does not know what she reacted to.
She bought it because her step-daughter Kayla Fox suggested it was a faster way of getting a tan.
Edith said: ‘If they hadn’t been so hands-on that day in the hospital, I wouldn’t be here to tell the tale.
‘I googled it and saw it pop up online and ordered it.
‘I think I paid £25 for the bottle. I like being tanned because I prefer not using makeup. I always liked looking fresh-looking with a tan.
‘On the first day, we were so brown, I’ve never experienced anything like it. I was very tanned after one day.
‘But the next morning, I woke up and realised I couldn’t breathe properly. I then noticed I was completely swollen. I was so out of breath and had to concentrate so much on breathing. It was really difficult to breathe.
‘My neck was so swollen that my necklace was tight. I was just swollen everywhere. I realised it must be an allergic reaction.’
It took more than a week for Edith’s symptoms to completely subside.
‘I’ve never had an allergic reaction in my whole life to any foods or anything. I think it was definitely the spray.
‘I wouldn’t be standing here if the hospital staff hadn’t acted so quickly. I was rushed straight through. It was so frightening.
‘Please don’t make the same mistake as me. If this can save someone’s life then I would rather suffer for anyone else before they make a stupid decision like me. I blame myself.’
Kayla shared a post on social media warning others that said: ‘Please don’t use nasal tanners as this is what they can do to you.
‘Poisoned my step-mum’s body and she’s had an allergic reaction. Stay away from them… They are so dangerous for some people.’
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