Volcanic ash harmful to skin, dermatologist warns 

A doctor has warned against heeding suggestions on social media that volcanic ash could be used to remedy acne and other skin conditions, with the medical practitioner declaring that using the ash could be “potentially dangerous”.

Dr Suleiman Bhamjee told Voice of Barbados radio: “The skin can be very sensitive and the volcanic ash is harsh so it is going to irritate.

“When we are trying to treat skin in general, we are trying to avoid anything that is harsh on the skin. As a basic principle, this is not a treatment for acne, it is not a treatment for skin problems, eczema.”

While acknowledging that the ash may contain sulphur, long used in various skin treatments, he made clear the ash would only harm.

Dr Bhamjee said: “Yes, we use sulphur in our preparations but this is not a recommendation for treatment of any sort, for anyone – not for skin problems, not for the eyes, not for the nose, not for face, or anything like that.

“When you have harsh chemicals on the skin it takes away the outer layers of the skin, and when you take away that outer barrier then it allows for chemicals to get into the skin, or bacteria, or infections or anything of that nature.

“So when you use something like that or you are exposed to it, it takes away the outer envelope or covering of the skin and therefore it is potentially dangerous as well.”