[Paraffin oil injection in bodybuilders calls for preventive action]

Ugeskr Laeger. 2010 Jan 18;172(3):219-20.
[Article in Danish]

Abstract

Injection of paraffin oil to change physical configuration is an obsolete procedure from 1899, revived by bodybuilders as an alternative to intramuscular injections of steroids. Paraffin oil has destructive consequences: skin inflammation, hard oedema, sterile abscesses, diffuse lymphangitis and paraffinomas. We report a case of a 24-year-old male bodybuilder who self-injected one litre of paraffin oil in each arm. Hazard notice and advice to bodybuilders with potential risk attitude or "reverse anorexia" are warranted.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Arm
  • Granuloma, Foreign-Body / chemically induced
  • Granuloma, Foreign-Body / pathology
  • Gynecomastia / chemically induced
  • Gynecomastia / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intramuscular
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Oils / administration & dosage*
  • Oils / adverse effects
  • Paraffin / administration & dosage*
  • Paraffin / adverse effects
  • Risk Factors
  • Self Medication
  • Skin / drug effects
  • Skin / pathology
  • Weight Lifting*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Oils
  • Paraffin