Mother's Distress Over Daughter's Severe Reaction to Primark Facial Cleanser
A mother from Trowbridge has spoken out with grave concerns after her young daughter experienced what she describes as a horrific allergic reaction to a budget facial cleanser purchased from Primark. Aleena Brown alleges that her 11-year-old daughter, Amelia, required urgent medical attention at multiple hospitals, culminating in treatment at the specialist Bristol Children's Hospital, after using the retailer's PS... Jelly Facial Cleanser.
The Unfolding Medical Emergency
According to Ms Brown, the incident began last week when Amelia decided to try the £3.50 product, which had been a gift in her Christmas stocking. "She was on a FaceTime call with friends and said her face immediately felt tingly," Ms Brown recounted. The situation escalated rapidly after Amelia washed her face multiple times in an attempt to alleviate the discomfort.
"The burning sensation started to get really bad," Ms Brown explained. "She has no known allergies and has never had a reaction like this before." Initially, the family assumed it was a minor irritation, and a GP visit resulted in a prescription for antihistamines. However, the following morning brought a dramatic deterioration.
"Her face had doubled in size and she was in a lot of pain," said the concerned mother. This prompted a rush to the Royal United Hospital in Bath, where stronger medication was administered. The condition continued to worsen, with Ms Brown describing Thursday's appearance as "something from a horror movie."
Hospital Referral and Ongoing Treatment
The severity of the reaction led to a referral from Trowbridge Community Hospital to the burns unit at Bristol Children's Hospital. Medical staff there have been managing a severe dermatological response. "All the skin, the whole epidermal layer, is peeling off her face," Ms Brown revealed. "She has to have a thick layer of Vaseline applied daily and it's incredibly itchy."
The young girl has been left visibly red, swollen, and in considerable pain, with the swelling reportedly affecting her ability to eat comfortably. The dermatology department has taken swabs for analysis and received the product's ingredients list, though results remain pending. Doctors have indicated that healing could take anywhere from a week to several months, during which time Amelia is taking liquid ibuprofen for pain relief and has been kept off school due to infection risks.
Primark's Response and Safety Investigations
In response to these allegations, Primark has conducted an investigation into the specific batch of PS... Jelly Facial Cleansers. A company spokesperson stated: "We take the safety and quality of our products very seriously and work closely with our suppliers and quality team to ensure they meet strict safety standards. All our cosmetic products are assessed by qualified safety experts before going on sale."
The retailer's examination, conducted alongside their supplier, found that the product met all necessary safety and quality benchmarks. Primark noted that the cleanser had previously undergone independent dermatological assessment, including trials on sensitive skin groups and a 96-hour patch test, complying fully with UK and EU cosmetic safety regulations. The company has sold several thousand units of this product with what they describe as exceedingly rare instances of such severe reactions.
Broader Concerns About Product Testing
Despite Primark's assurances, Ms Brown has expressed profound concerns about the adequacy of testing for affordable, pocket-money priced products. "The dermatology team have said it could be a combination of ingredients that caused the reaction, but they don't know which ones," she explained. "I just don't want this nightmare to happen to anyone else."
While acknowledging that the specific batch has been investigated, the Trowbridge mother is calling for additional testing on this Primark product. Her primary motivation remains warning other parents and safeguarding children from potential similar experiences. "It's so scary and we are very keen to warn and safeguard other parents and children," she emphasized, as her daughter continues to undergo treatment at Bristol Children's Hospital.
