Salicylic acid (medical use)

Salicylic acid

Cotton pads soaked in salicylic acid for medical use
Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.com Multum Consumer Information
Routes of
administration		 topical
ATC code
Identifiers
CAS Number
PubChem CID
DrugBank
ChemSpider
Chemical and physical data
Formula C7H6O3
Molar mass 138.12 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)

Salicylic acid as a medication is used to help remove the outer layer of the skin.[1] As such it is used to treat warts, psoriasis, dandruff, acne, 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. Salicylate poisoning tends to only occur when applied to a large area and in children. Use is thus not recommended in children less than two years old.[2] It comes in a number of different strengths.[3]

Salicylic acid has been in medical use since at least the time of Hippocrates.[4] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system.[5] In the United Kingdom 10 ml of a 17% liquid formulation costs the NHS about 1.71 pounds. 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 skin.[1] As such it is used to treat warts, psoriasis, dandruff, acne, ringworm, and ichthyosis.[1][2]

Because of its effect on skin cells, salicylic acid is used in some shampoos to treat dandruff.

In modern medicine, salicylic acid and its derivatives are constituents of some "skin-reddening" products.

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]

Mechanism

Salicylic acid works as a keratolytic, comedolytic and 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.[8][9]

History

Historically salicylic acid is known for its ability to ease aches and pains and reduce fevers.[8] These medicinal properties, particularly fever relief, were discovered in ancient times. It has been also used as an anti-inflammatory drug.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Salicylic acid topical medical facts from Drugs.com". www.drugs.com. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 WHO Model Formulary 2008 (PDF). World Health Organization. 2009. p. 310. ISBN 9789241547659. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  3. 1 2 British national formulary : BNF 69 (69 ed.). British Medical Association. 2015. p. 814-815, 825, 833. ISBN 9780857111562.
  4. ↑ Boddice, Robert Gregory (2014). Pain and Emotion in Modern History. Springer. p. Chapter 8. ISBN 9781137372437. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  5. ↑ "WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (19th List)" (PDF). World Health Organization. April 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  6. ↑ Grimes, P. E. (1999). "The Safety and Efficacy of Salicylic Acid Chemical Peels in Darker Racial-ethnic Groups". Dermatologic Surgery. 25 (1): 18–22. PMID 9935087. doi:10.1046/j.1524-4725.1999.08145.x.
  7. ↑ Roberts, W. E. (2004). "Chemical peeling in ethnic/dark skin". Dermatologic Therapy. 17 (2): 196–205. PMID 15113287. doi:10.1111/j.1396-0296.2004.04020.x.
  8. 1 2 3 Madan RK; Levitt J (April 2014). "A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparations". J Am Acad Dermatol. 70 (4): 788–92. PMID 24472429. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2013.12.005.
  9. ↑ Bosund, I.; Erichsen, I.; Molin, N. (1960-10-01). "The Bacteriostatic Action of Benzoic and Salicylic Acids.". Physiologia Plantarum. 13 (4): 800–811. ISSN 1399-3054. doi:10.1111/j.1399-3054.1960.tb08103.x.
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