Salicylic ointment is a medicinal preparation with salicylic acid, which is used to treat various types of benign epidermal neoplasms, be it papillomas, warts, condylomas, spikes, keratomas, acrochordas.
Description and composition of salicylic ointment
Salicylic ointment is a fairly effective drug designed to fight tumors caused by the human papillomavirus. It 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 the form of a solution, it has a stronger effect on the skin. But she also hurts more. The ointment, in turn, demonstrates the same healing effect, but does it more gently. Therefore, the treatment takes a longer period of time.
Salicylic ointment fights the following types of skin tumors:
- warts;
- keratomas;
- spikes;
- condylomas;
- filiform papillomas.
In addition, the product is prescribed for various 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 solubility in water.
- Vaseline. Pasty liquid, odorless and tasteless. If it undergoes complete purification, it becomes translucent; the use of partial purification gives the substance a black to pale yellow color. Insoluble in water and alcohol, but soluble in ether and chloroform. Not subject to alkali saponification, oxidation or air rancidity. It serves as a basis for many ointments, including salicylic ointment against papillomas.
The concentration of salicylic acid in 100 g of ointment varies from 2 to 60 g, depending on the percentage of the drug. The concentration of petroleum jelly is from 98 to 40 g per 100 g of drug, also depending on the acid content.
Packed in glass or plastic containers closed with plastic lids. The most common dosage is 2% or 3%, and the volume is 25 g. However, you can also find 1%, 5%, 10% and 60% ointment 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 to suppress the secretion of sebum and sweat, which reduces the likelihood of additional tissue infection by pathogens, helps to exfoliate dead cells and restore 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, it is necessary to disinfect the treated area. The antiseptic effect is manifested in a detrimental effect on most microorganisms.
- Local irritant. The effect on the epidermis is the ability to irritate the nerve endings of the skin due to the expansion of blood vessels. This improves tissue trophism and allows the drug to penetrate into the deep layers of the tumor. It also suppresses pain impulses resulting from cauterization of the growth.
- Anti-inflammatory. The wound heals and the cause of the tumor, the human papilloma virus, is fought off. This allows you to avoid irritation, suppuration, swelling and other complications that can occur with skin damage.
- Regenerating. Due to the fact that salicylic acid improves blood circulation at the site of application, this promotes the rapid recovery of healthy cells and their replacement with exfoliated keratinized particles.
Salicylic ointment is used not only to treat papillomas, it successfully fights boils, acne, helps to soften calluses and removes any inflammation of the skin.
Instructions for use of salicylic ointment for papillomas
For the treatment of papillomas and vulgar warts, it is better to use 5% ointment, to combat more serious keratinized formations, such as spikes, more than 10% ointment is suitable.
Some sources claim that to achieve a stronger effect, it is worth using salicylic ointment with a concentration of the active substance of 60%. But it is strongly not recommended to do this yourself. This product is very aggressive and can seriously damage 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 anti-spike product:
- 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 cut away as much dead skin cells as possible with a nail clipper.
- 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 growth.
- Cover the treated area with a plaster or bandage of several layers of bandage.
- In the morning, wash the treated area and scrape off the cells that have died overnight with a pumice stone. Do this carefully, without strong physical pressure.
- If the growth has not completely disappeared, repeat the evening procedures until the tumor is completely peeled off.
Using salicylic ointment to remove vulgar warts and papillomas:
- Wash the treated area with warm water and soap. Dry the new growth with a towel.
- Treat the skin around the tumor with a protective ointment, such as zinc, petroleum jelly or another baby cream.
- According to the instructions for salicylic ointment, papillomas are carefully treated with a thin layer.
- Cover the treated area with a band-aid or place a sterile dressing over it.
- After 12 hours, remove the compress, wait 10-12 hours and repeat the treatment if necessary.
The period 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 repeat the course.
Contraindications and side effects of salicylic ointment
Since the drug can enter the blood and affect the nerve endings, there are very strict contraindications for the use of this drug.
Salicylic ointment should not be used by the following people:
- Pregnant and lactating. The ban is related to the possibility of the drug affecting the fetus, as well as its penetration into breast milk and impact on the child during breastfeeding.
- For allergy sufferers. This product is quite aggressive. Therefore, people prone to allergic skin reactions should avoid its use.
- For diabetic patients. Due to the fact that the drug can penetrate into the blood, it can affect blood sugar levels, which can negatively affect the health of people with diabetes.
- People with kidney failure. The drug may have an effect on the excretory system of the body. Therefore, it is better for people suffering from diseases of this system to resort to the use of less aggressive means.
- Patients with circulatory diseases. Due to the possible penetration into the blood, salicylic ointment for papillomas can affect the blood count.
- Children under 12 years old. 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 use of this drug has the same restrictions that apply to all medical products aimed at combating benign neoplasms. First of all, you need to make sure that this formation is benign. In addition, to be allowed to be used at home, the growth must be weakly tumorigenic.
You cannot treat papillomas on the mucous membranes, near the eyes or in areas of active hair. But you can use salicylic ointment for papillomas in intimate places. But it is better to use a product with a low acid concentration, taking into account the characteristics of this area.
Usually, the use of ointment does not lead to serious side effects. But not following the safety rules and using a product with a high concentration of acid (eg 60%) can have a detrimental effect on the epidermis.
Possible side effects of salicylic ointment:
- Combustion. Using the product may cause a burning sensation and slight pain. As a rule, this effect disappears within a few minutes after applying the solution. It does not require additional therapy.
- Chemical burn. Possibly due to the contact of a large amount of the drug on the healthy epidermis around the neoplasm. In this case, it is necessary to rinse the treated area abundantly with warm water for 10-15 minutes and contact a surgeon.
- Fabric marks. This happens due to non-compliance with the rules for the use of this drug. In a deep chemical burn, when a large area is injured, the tissue begins to scar as it heals. In this case, the use of special resorbable creams or surgical correction of the defect is necessary.
Results of using salicylic ointment for papillomas
The effectiveness of salicylic ointment in the treatment of papillomas is quite high. Also, 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 procedures are needed. The spike will disappear after 5-7 treatments.
When using an ointment with a concentration of 5-10%, it will take about a week to fight a small wart. Spine removal may take a course of 21 days. An old, large, dry callus may require several courses of 3 weeks each.
Real reviews of salicylic ointment for papillomas
Salicylic ointment has received many reviews because it is a popular medical product. However, most of the answers refer to the treatment of dermatological diseases that are not related to the manifestations of the human papilloma virus, but refer to the fight against acne, psoriasis and seborrhea. However, there are also those that refer specifically to the fight against papillomas.
- "I had to remove a papilloma on my leg. I started by using patches. Unfortunately, this treatment had no effect. Then, after reading the reviews about salicylic ointment for papillomas, I decided to give it a try. I will not hide the fact that I was also captivated by the low price of this drug. The first 3 days of use had absolutely no effect. I even decided to give up treatment, but a friend advised me to continue. As a result, it took 2 months to remove the spine. I did not have any unpleasant sensations during the procedures and the effect, although slow, was present. So I decided to continue until I saw my wart disappear. I am satisfied with the effect, I recommend the product. "
- "We decided to buy salicylic ointment to remove vulgar warts from the hands of a 14-year-old boy. The treatment was very simple and did not cause discomfort to the child - there was no pain, burning and itching. It is very difficult to convince a teenager to undergo treatment, and here it was possible to do so only because the application took very little time and was not accompanied by pain. At night before bed, my son washed the warts with soap, then applied a thin layer of ointment. The neoplasm was covered with a simple disposable bactericidal patch. In the morning he took it off and went to school. In the evening, the procedure is repeated. After 5 days, the warts softened, then dried up a little and fell off. There was a barely noticeable mark on my fingers which disappeared over the next week. Inspired by the child's experience, I decided to remove papillomas from my neck. I think that this medicine is not suitable for this area, because, unlike the hands, the skin on the neck is delicate and there was a very strong sensation of burning and pain. The effect was good, but I think it's better to use a gentler product. "
- "After pregnancy, neoplasms appeared on my body. And papillomas, and warts, keratomas, spikes, just a whole bunch of problems caused by the human papilloma virus. When I finished breastfeeding before going back to work after maternity leave, I decided to get better. I started with a leg splint as it was not only unsightly 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 the treatment of the leg, there was discomfort - it was quite hot and itchy. Fortunately, no traces were left. "
Salicylic ointment has been shown to be effective against benign tumors caused by HPV. Undisputed advantages include the fact that applications can be carried out at home, the product is affordable, and salicylic ointment is available in pharmacies without a prescription. With strict adherence to the instructions, its use is safe and painless. The disadvantages of this drug include the fact that its use is quite long.