Medical uses of salicylic acid

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Salicylic acid
Cotton pads soaked in salicylic acid for medical use
Clinical data
Trade namesVarious trade names
AHFS/Drugs.comMultum Consumer Information
Routes of
administration		topical
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
JSmol)
  • c1ccc(c(c1)C(=O)O)O
  • InChI=1S/C7H6O3/c8-6-4-2-1-3-5(6)7(9)10/h1-4,8H,(H,9,10)
  • Key:YGSDEFSMJLZEOE-UHFFFAOYSA-N

ringworm, and ichthyosis.[1][2] For conditions other than warts, it is often used together with other medications.[2] It is applied to the area affected.[1]

Side effects include skin irritation, and salicylate poisoning.[2] Salicylate poisoning tends to only occur when applied to a large area and in children.[2] Use is thus not recommended in children less than two years old.[2] It comes in a number of different strengths.[3]

It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[4][5] It is also available mixed with coal tar, zinc oxide, or benzoic acid.[3]

Medical uses

Salicylic acid as a medication is used to help remove the outer layer of the

ringworm, and ichthyosis.[1][2]

Because of its effect on skin cells, salicylic acid is used in some shampoos to treat dandruff.[medical citation needed]

In modern medicine, salicylic acid and its derivatives are constituents of some "skin-reddening" products.[medical citation needed]

Side effects

Concentrated solutions of salicylic acid may cause hyperpigmentation on people with darker skin types (Fitzpatrick phototypes IV, V, VI), without a broad spectrum sunblock.[6][7] Due to sun sensitivity, sun protection is recommended when using salicylic acid on sun-exposed skin.[8]

Pregnancy

No studies examine topical salicylic acid in pregnancy. The risks of aspirin late in pregnancy are probably not relevant for a topical exposure to salicylic acid, even late in the pregnancy, because of its low systemic levels. Topical salicylic acid is common in many over-the-counter dermatological agents and the lack of adverse reports suggests a low risk.[9]

Overdose

Side effects include skin irritation, and salicylate poisoning.[2] Salicylate poisoning tends to only occur when applied to a large area and in children.[2] Use is thus not recommended in children less than two years old.[2] It comes in a number of different strengths.[3]

Salicylic acid overdose can lead metabolic acidosis with compensatory respiratory alkalosis. In people presenting with an acute overdose, a 16% morbidity rate and a 1% mortality rate are observed.[10]

Mechanism of action

See also: Aspirin § Mechanism of action

Salicylic acid works as a

bacteriostatic agent, causing the cells of the epidermis to shed more readily, opening clogged pores and neutralizing bacteria within, preventing pores from clogging up again and allowing room for new cell growth.[11][12]

History

Dioscorides, in the first century AD, described the use of an extract of what might have been willow bark (a plant he called Itea),[13] 'being burnt to ashes, and steeped in vinegar,'[14] for taking away 'corns and other like risings in the feet and toes.' The active ingredient in this mixture could have been salicylic acid, but it is a modern myth that willow was ever used to ease aches and pains or reduce fevers.[11][15]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Salicylic acid topical medical facts". Drugs.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  2. ^
    ISBN 9789241547659
    .
  3. ^
    ISBN 9780857111562
    .
  4. hdl:10665/325771
    . WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
  5. hdl:10665/345533
    . WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2021.02.
  6. PMID 9935087
    .
  7. S2CID 44991940
    .
  8. ^ "Beta Hydroxy Acids in Cosmetics". Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Cosmetics and Colors Fact Sheet. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 7 March 2000. Archived from the original on 2007-12-21. Retrieved 2007-11-23.
  9. ^ O'Connell K, Shepard M, Ormond K, Pergament E (2000). "Acne and Pregnancy". Illinois Teratogen Information Service. Archived from the original on 11 January 2009. Retrieved 3 June 2012 – via Fetal-exposure.org.
  10. ^ Salicylate Toxicity at eMedicine
  11. ^
    PMID 24472429
    .
  12. ISSN 1399-3054
    .
  13. ISBN 0-620-23435-0
    . Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  14. ^ Gerard J. "Of the Willow Tree". Herball, or Generall Historie of Plantes. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  15. ^ Propatier S (22 May 2014). "The Mythology of Aspirin". Skeptoid Media, Inc. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Medical_uses_of_salicylic_acid&oldid=1198757253"