Salicylic ointment is a medicinal preparation containing salicylic acid used to treat various types of benign epidermal neoplasms, be they papillomas, warts, condylomas, spines, keratomas and acrochords.
Description and composition of salicylic ointment
Salicylic ointment is a fairly effective drug for combating tumors caused by the human papilloma virus. This is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is only used externally.
To remove papillomas and warts, salicylic acid is most often used, which is the main component of the ointment. In solution form it has a stronger effect on the skin. However, it also hurts her more. The ointment, in turn, has the same healing effect, but is gentler. For this reason, treatment takes longer.
Salicylic ointment fights the following types of skin tumors:
- warts;
- keratomas;
- spines;
- condylomas;
- filamentous papillomas.
In addition, the product is prescribed for a variety of dermatological problems, as it has a bactericidal and wound-healing effect.
The composition of salicylic ointment includes the following components:
- Salicylic acid. The substance is colorless crystals that are highly soluble in ethanol, diethyl ether and other organic solvents. It has poor water solubility.
- vaseline. A paste-like liquid, odorless and tasteless. When completely cleaned it becomes translucent; with partial purification, the substance acquires a color from black to light yellow. Insoluble in water and alcohol, but soluble in ether and chloroform. It is not subject to saponification with an alkali solution, oxidation or rancidity in air. Serves as the basis for many ointments, including salicylic ointment for papillomas.
The concentration of salicylic acid in 100 g of ointment ranges from 2 to 60 g, depending on the percentage of the drug. The concentration of petroleum jelly is 98 to 40 g per 100 g of the drug, also depending on the acidity.
Packed in glass or plastic containers, closed with plastic lids. The most common dosage is 2% or 3% and the volume is 25g. However, 1%, 5%, 10% and 60% ointments are also available, with a volume of up to 100 g.
Analogues of salicylic ointment are not direct analogues, but drugs with a similar effect on the epidermis.
The benefits of salicylic ointment for papillomas
The drug has a very active effect on the epidermis. Kills HPV concentrated in mutated cells of the neoplasm, helps suppress sebum and sweat secretion, which reduces the likelihood of additional tissue infection by pathogens, helps remove dead cells and restores the integrity of the skin.
Salicylic ointment for papillomas has the following effects:
- Keratolytic. The drug helps to soften, dissolve and exfoliate the keratinized epidermis.
- antiseptic. Since the acid contained in the ointment opens the structure of the neoplasm, disinfection of the treated area is necessary. The antiseptic effect is expressed in a harmful effect on most microorganisms.
- Locally lovely. The effect on the epidermis is the ability to irritate the nerve endings of the skin by dilating blood vessels. This improves tissue trophism and allows the drug to penetrate into the deeper layers of the tumor. It also suppresses pain impulses that arise from cauterizing the growth.
- Anti-inflammatory. The wound heals and the cause of the tumor, the human papilloma virus, is combated. This makes it possible to avoid irritation, suppuration, swelling and other complications that can occur when skin is damaged.
- Regenerating. Since salicylic acid improves blood circulation at the application site, this promotes the rapid restoration of healthy cells and their replacement with exfoliated keratinized particles.
Salicylic ointment is used not only to treat papillomas, it successfully fights boils and acne, softens corneal growths and eliminates skin inflammation.
Instructions for use of salicylic ointment for papillomas
To treat papillomas and vulgar warts, it is better to use ointment with a concentration of 5%; to combat more serious keratinized growths, such as: B. spines, an ointment with more than 10% is suitable.
Some sources claim that it is worth using salicylic ointment with an active ingredient concentration of 60% to achieve a stronger effect. However, it is strongly discouraged to do this yourself. This product is very aggressive and can cause serious damage to healthy skin.
To protect yourself from unwanted side effects, be sure to read the instructions for using salicylic ointment for papillomas.
Algorithm for using the product to combat thorns:
- It is better to carry out the treatment before going to bed so that the treated area is not exposed to mechanical stress during the day.
- Steam the new growth in warm, almost hot water. Rub with a pumice stone and use nail scissors to cut off as many dead skin cells as possible.
- Before removing papillomas with salicylic ointment, it is not necessary to additionally treat the skin around the tumor with protective agents, but you should avoid excessive contact of the drug with healthy skin.
- Apply a thin layer of ointment to the new growth.
- Cover the treated area with an adhesive plaster or a bandage consisting of several layers of dressing.
- In the morning, wash the treated area and scrape off the cells that have died overnight with a pumice stone. Do this carefully and without strong physical pressure.
- If the growth has not completely disappeared, repeat evening treatments until the tumor completely clears.
Using salicylic ointment to remove vulgar warts and papillomas:
- Wash the area to be treated with warm water and soap. Dry the new growth with a terry cloth towel.
- Treat the skin around the tumor with a protective ointment, such as zinc, petroleum jelly, or other baby cream.
- According to the instructions for salicylic ointment, papillomas are carefully treated with a thin layer.
- Cover the area to be treated with tape or apply a sterile bandage over it.
- After 12 hours, remove the compress, wait 10-12 hours and treat again if necessary.
The duration of use of salicylic ointment in the treatment of papillomas should not exceed 21 days. If there is no effect, take a break for a few days and start the course again.
Contraindications and side effects of salicylic ointment
Since the drug can enter the bloodstream and affect nerve endings, there are very strict contraindications to the use of this drug.
Salicylic ointment should not be used by the following people:
- Pregnant and breastfeeding. The ban is associated with the possibility that the drug will affect the fetus, enter breast milk and adversely affect the child during breastfeeding.
- For allergy sufferers. This product is quite aggressive. Therefore, people who are prone to allergic skin reactions should avoid its use.
- For patients with diabetes. Since the drug can penetrate the blood, it can affect blood sugar levels, which can negatively affect the health of diabetics.
- People with kidney failure. The drug may have effects on the body's urinary system. Therefore, for people suffering from diseases of this system, it is better to resort to less aggressive means.
- Patients with circulatory diseases. Due to possible penetration into the blood, salicylic ointment for papillomas can affect the blood count.
- Children under 12 years. The penetration of acid into the blood and the fact that children's skin is more susceptible to irritation and allergic reactions than that of adults can also play a role here.
It is also worth noting that the same restrictions apply to the use of this drug as to all drugs used to combat benign neoplasms. First of all, you need to make sure that this formation is harmless. Additionally, for home use, the growth must be low tumorigenic.
Papillomas on the mucous membranes, near the eyes, or in areas with active hair cannot be treated. However, you can use salicylic ointment for papillomas in intimate places. However, taking into account the specifics of this area, it is better to use a product with a low acid concentration.
Usually, the use of ointments does not cause serious side effects. But ignoring safety rules and using a product with a high concentration of acid (for example, 60%) can have a detrimental effect on the epidermis.
Possible side effects of salicylic ointment:
- combustion. Using the product may cause burning and mild pain. As a rule, this effect disappears within a few minutes after applying the solution. Does not require additional therapy.
- chemical burn. Possible due to contact of a large amount of the drug with the healthy epidermis around the neoplasm. In this case, it is necessary to rinse the treated area with plenty of warm water for 10-15 minutes and contact a surgeon.
- Scarring of the tissue. This happens due to non-compliance with the rules for using this drug. With a deep chemical burn where a large area is injured, the tissue begins to scar as it heals. In this case, the use of special absorbable creams or surgical correction of the defect is required.
Results of using salicylic ointment for papillomas
The effectiveness of salicylic ointment in the treatment of papillomas is quite high. In addition, the higher the concentration of salicylic acid in the product, the higher the effectiveness. However, it is directly proportional to the occurrence of side effects.
To remove a small papilloma with a product with a concentration of 60%, 1-3 treatments are required. The thorn disappears after 5-7 treatments.
When using an ointment with a concentration of 5-10%, combating a small wart takes about a week. Spinal removal can take 21 days. An old, large, dry callus may require multiple treatment cycles of 3 weeks each.
Real reviews of salicylic ointment for papillomas
Salicylic ointment has received many reviews as it is a popular medical product. However, most of the answers concern the treatment of dermatological diseases that are not related to manifestations of the human papilloma virus, but relate to the fight against acne, psoriasis and seborrhea. However, there are also those that relate specifically to the fight against papillomas.
- "I had to remove a papilloma on my foot. I started using patches. Unfortunately, this treatment had no effect. Then, after reading the reviews about salicylic ointment for papillomas, I decided to try it. I do not hide the fact that I was also fascinated by the low price of this medicine. In the first 3 days of use there was absolutely no effect. I even decided to stop treatment, but a friend advised me to continue. As a result, the spine removal took two months. I did not experience any unpleasant sensations during the treatment and the effect, although slow, was present. So I decided to keep going until I saw my wart disappear. I am satisfied with the effect, I recommend the product. "
- "We decided to buy salicylic ointment to remove common warts from the hands of a 14-year-old boy. The treatment was very simple and did not cause any discomfort to the child - there was no pain, burning or itching. It is very difficult to get a teenager to undergo treatment, and here this was only possible because it took very little time and was not painful. The night before bed, my son washed the warts with soap and then applied a thin layer of ointment. The neoplasm was covered with a normal disposable bactericidal plaster. In the morning he took it off and went to school. The process was repeated in the evening. After 5 days the warts became softer, then dried out a little and fell off. There was a barely noticeable stain on my fingers that disappeared over the next week. Inspired by the child's experience, I decided to remove the papillomas on my neck. I consider this remedy unsuitable for this area because, unlike the hands, the skin on the neck is sensitive and there was a very strong burning and pain. The effect was good, but I think it is better to use a gentler product. "
- "After pregnancy, new growths appeared on my body. And papillomas and warts, keratomas, spines, just a whole range of problems caused by the human papilloma virus. When I finished breastfeeding and went back to work after maternity leave, I decided to get myself in order. I started with a splint on my foot as it was not only ugly but also made walking difficult. It took me a month to treat her with salicylic ointment for papillomas. Other tumors disappeared within 2 weeks. But unlike treating the foot, there was discomfort - it was quite hot and itchy. Luckily there were no traces left. "
Salicylic ointment has proven effective against benign tumors caused by HPV. The undeniable advantages include that the application can be done at home, the product is affordable, and salicylic ointment is available at the pharmacy without a prescription. If the instructions are strictly followed, the application is safe and painless. The disadvantages of this drug include the fact that it takes quite a long time to use.