People with acne can use topical salicylic acid to help clean and prevent zits and skin blemishes. Topical salicylic acid is also used to treat skin conditions that involve scaling or an overgrowth of skin cells, including ichthyoses (inborn diseases that result in skin dryness and scaling), dandruff, corns, calluses, and warts on the hands or feet. Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, scaly patches to appear on some parts of the body. Genital warts, warts on the face, warts with hair developing from them, warts in the nose or mouth, moles, or birthmarks shouldn’t be treated with topical salicylic acid. Salicylic acid belongs to the group of drugs known as keratolytic agents. Salicylic acid applied topically heals acne by bringing down swelling and redness and clearing clogged skin pores to encourage pimples to contract. By softer and looserning dry, scaly, or thicker skin so that it slips off or can be removed easily, it addresses other skin disorders.

Topical salicylic acid is available as a cream, lotion, liquid, gel, ointment, shampoo, wipe, pad, and patch that can be used to clean the skin or scalp. There are several strengths of topical salicylic acid available, some of which require a prescription. Depending on the condition being treated and the substance being used, topical salicylic acid may be used frequently (up to several times per day) or rarely (up to several times per week). Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions you do not understand, and carefully follow the advice on the package label or the label of your prescription. Salicylic acid should be used as directed. Use just as suggested on the container or as your doctor has instructed. Do not use more, less, or more frequently than recommended.

Your skin may become dry or sensitive at first if you are treating your acne with topical salicylic acid. You can avoid this by using the product less frequently at initially and gradually increasing your usage when your skin has gotten used to the treatment. During your therapy, you can use the cream less frequently if your skin ever feels dry or irritated. For more details, consult your doctor or read the package label.

When using this medication for the first time, apply a small amount of the salicylic acid product to one or two small places you want to treat for three days. Use the product as instructed on the packaging or on the label of your prescription if no response or pain happens.

Salicylic acid topical should not be swallowed. Avoid getting topical salicylic acid in your mouth, nose, or eyes. You should immediately flush the affected area with water if you accidently get topical salicylic acid in your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Topical salicylic acid should not be used on skin that is damaged, red, puffy, itchy, or infected.

Only treat your skin issue on the parts of skin that are impacted by topical salicylic acid. Large portions of your body should not be treated with topical salicylic acid unless your doctor instructs you to. Unless your doctor instructs you to, avoid bandaging or wrapping the skin where you administered topical salicylic acid.

It could take a few weeks or longer before you experience the full benefits of topical salicylic acid if you’re treating acne or another skin issue. As your skin gets used to the drug during the first few days of treatment, your condition may get worse.

You should carefully read the product label on the topical salicylic acid you are using. You can prepare your skin for application of the medication by following the instructions on the label. The label will also specify how to administer the medication. Pay close attention to these guidelines.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before using topical salicylic acid,

• If you have an allergy to salicylic acid, any other drugs, or any of the substances in products containing salicylic acid, let your doctor and pharmacist know right away. For a list of the ingredients, see your pharmacist or look on the label of the container.
• If you are using topical salicylic acid to treat your skin, avoid using any of the following products unless your doctor instructs you to: Other medications that are applied to the skin include benzoyl peroxide (BenzaClin, BenzaMycin, others), resorcinol (RA Lotion), sulphur (Cuticura, Finac, others), and tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova, others). Medicated cosmetics are another another option. If you use any of these items on skin that is being treated with topical salicylic acid, your skin may become severely inflamed.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use. Mention any of the following: methyl salicylate, aspirin, and diuretics (‘water pills’) (in some muscle rubs such as BenGay). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• Inform your physician of any blood vessel, renal, liver, or diabetes you now have or have ever had.
• You should be aware that there is a chance that children and teenagers with the flu or chicken pox could develop Reye’s syndrome if they take topical salicylic acid without a doctor’s prescription (a serious condition in which fat builds up on the brain, liver, and other body organs).
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while using topical salicylic acid.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

As soon as you realise you missed a dose, administer it. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. No additional topical salicylic acid should be used to make up for a missed dose.

Salicylic acid used topically may have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, consult your doctor:

• Skin sensitivity
• Where you administered topical salicylic acid, there are stinging sensations

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs or symptoms:

• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Extreme fatigue or sluggishness
• Headache
• Rapid respiration
• Ears that are humming or ringing
• Loss of hearing
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Stop using salicylic acid and call your doctor right away if you develop any of the following symptoms, or seek emergency medical attention:

• Hives
• Itching
• Throat constriction
• Having trouble breathing
• Feeling weak
• Swelling of the tongue, lips, face, or eyes

Other negative effects from topical salicylic acid are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Call your local poison control centre at 1-800-222-1222 if someone ingests salicylic acid or accidentally uses too much of it. Dial 911 to reach the nearest emergency services if the sufferer has collapsed or has stopped breathing.

Overdose symptoms could include:

• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Extreme fatigue or sluggishness
• Headache
• Rapid respiration
• Ears that are humming or ringing
• Loss of hearing
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea