It's normal to get small rashes and eczema on our skin. Sometimes, when an ant or a mosquito bites, the area becomes swollen, red, and itchy. So, when you go to see a doctor at a time like this, he or she may have prescribed you an ointment called Salicylic Acid. You may have heard of this name, but you may not know exactly what it is, how to use it, and what to be careful about. Don't worry, we'll talk about all of that in a simple and friendly way today.
Simply put, what is Salicylic Acid?
Salicylic Acid is a very useful medicine used for a number of
skin conditions . It belongs to a group of drugs called
salicylates . You may have heard of
aspirin , which also belongs to this group. This ointment mainly reduces swelling, redness, and discomfort on your skin. Imagine that your skin has a problem that causes cells to divide rapidly, causing the skin to thicken and form crusts. This medicine works by softening the layer of dead skin cells in such areas, allowing them to be easily removed, and helping new, healthy skin to grow. This means that the healing process is accelerated. Doctors usually recommend it for conditions like:
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
As with any medication,
it is important to tell your doctor about your medical history before using Salicylic Acid. This medication may not be suitable for some people. See the table below. If you have any of these conditions,
be sure to tell your doctor before starting treatment.
| Your situation | Why is it important to the doctor? |
|---|
| Allergies | If you have an allergy to Salicylic Acid, Aspirin, any other medication, food, or preservative, you must disclose it. |
| Viral infections | This medicine can cause complications, especially if applied to an area with a viral infection such as chickenpox , herpes, or cold sores . |
| Kidney or liver disease | If you have kidney or liver disease, the way your body absorbs and eliminates medications may be different. So it's important to let your doctor know. |
| Burned or damaged skin | If the skin over a large area of the body is burned or injured, applying this medicine may increase the amount absorbed by the body. |
| Pregnancy or breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, your doctor will determine whether this medicine will affect your baby. So be sure to tell them about it. |
How exactly do you use this ointment?
To get the most out of a medicine, it is very important to use it correctly. Remember these steps carefully. 1.
Apply only to the skin! - This is the most important thing. This ointment is for application only to the skin.
Do not put it in your mouth, swallow it, or apply it inside the body for any reason. 2.
Wash your hands thoroughly - Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after applying the medicine. However, if you are applying the medicine to a problem on your hands, wash your hands only before applying it. 3.
Be careful with your eyes - Be very careful not to let the medicine get into your eyes. If you accidentally get it in your eyes, do not panic, open your eyes and rinse them thoroughly with clean water for a few minutes. 4.
Apply a thin film- Applying too much medicine will not make you feel better quickly. As the doctor said, apply a thin film only on the affected skin area. 5.
Do not cover with a bandage - After applying the medicine, do not cover the area with a bandage or other type of plaster. Doing so will increase the amount of medicine absorbed by the skin and may cause side effects. Do so only if the doctor specifically advises you to do so. 6.
If you are giving this to children - If you are giving this to small children, use it as directed by the doctor. Children's skin is sensitive, so special care should be taken.
The most important thing is to not use the medicine more often than your doctor tells you to. And, continue using it until he tells you to stop.
What to do if the medication dose is increased?
Imagine that you have been bitten more than you thought, or that a small child in the house has accidentally swallowed it. This should be treated as
an emergency . Do not panic, and the first thing to do is to call
the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Otherwise, be sure to take the person to the nearest hospital's
Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) .
Also remember: This medicine is for you only. Do not give the same medicine you used for your skin problem to a friend or family member who has the same symptoms. The right medicine and dosage for each person is different.
What if I forget to take my medicine?
We don't always remember to take our medicine at the same time every day. If we forget, take it as soon as we remember. However, if it is very close to the time of our next dose (for example, it is only an hour or two away), skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time.
Never take two doses at the same time. Other things to consider when using Salicylic Acid
- Be careful with the sun: Your skin may be a little sensitive to the sun while taking this medicine. Therefore, avoid going out in the sun as much as possible. If you do go out, cover the treated area with clothing or use a good sunscreen . Avoid tanning beds altogether.
- Do not apply other ointments: Do not apply any other ointments or creams to the same area of skin as Salicylic Acid without consulting your doctor.Don't apply any ointment, lotion, or other medicine.
- See your doctor again: If your doctor tells you to come back, be sure to go on that day. If your symptoms don't improve, or even get worse, tell your doctor right away.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, salicylic acid can cause minor side effects. However, most people do not experience serious problems. It is important to be aware of this.
If you experience these symptoms, see your doctor immediately. These are usually not serious, but if they persist, tell your doctor.
| Severe allergies | Skin rash, severe itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| An extreme skin reaction | Unbearable burning, itching, dry, flaky, or peeling skin where the medicine was applied. |
| Minor skin problems | Slight burning, redness, or slight dryness of the skin where the medicine was applied. |
How to properly store and dispose of medicine?
Storage
- Always keep it high and out of reach of children and pets .
- Store at room temperature (between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius). Avoid exposure to extreme heat or cold. Do not store in humid areas, such as the bathroom.
Removal
It is not a good idea to simply throw expired or unwanted medicines in the trash or flush them down the toilet. It can be harmful to the environment. Here is the correct way to dispose of them safely: 1. First, remove the medicine from the tube or bottle. 2. Mix it well with something that no one would eat, such as used cat litter, soil, or coffee grounds. 3. Place this mixture in a tightly sealed polythene bag or plastic container and dispose of it with regular trash.
Take-Home Message
- Salicylic Acid is only a topical application on the skin. Do not put it in your mouth for any reason.
- Before using this medicine, tell your doctor completely about your other illnesses, allergies, and other medications you are taking.
- Just as the doctor said, use only the prescribed amount, the prescribed number of times. Do not cover the area where the medicine was applied with a bandage.
- If you experience severe allergic symptoms (swelling of the face, difficulty breathing) or severe skin irritation, see a doctor or go to a hospital immediately.
- This medicine is for you only. Do not let anyone else use it, even if their symptoms are similar to yours.
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