An unanticipated use of a topical cream

A sixteen-year-old black male, distraught over his acne, injected his face via syringe and needle with a topical cream. Within twelve hours, the injected lesions became red and edematous, and later tender. After treatment with oral prednisone and erythromycin, the lesions resolved. This case serves to illustrate the unexpected misuses of cosmetics, in this instance, a patient anxious only to improve his acne problem.