Why is salicylic ointment used in medicine? This product is intended for external use. It is actively used in the treatment of many skin diseases that are associated with severe flaking, inflammation, excessive production of sweat and sebum.
Name, description and composition
What is the name of the mentioned ointment connected with? Salicylic acid is the main active ingredient of this drug. It is contained in ointments in various concentrations, which, in fact, determines the spectrum of the therapeutic effect of the drug.
Salicylic ointment (2%, 5%, 1%, 3%) is a homogeneous, thick, oily and dense mass of white or grayish color. In addition to the main component, this drug also contains an auxiliary substance in the form of medical purified vaseline. The latter is necessary for the uniform distribution of the drug, as well as the dissolution of salicylic acid.
Therapeutic effect
The action of salicylic ointment (5%, 2%, 1%, 3%) is determined by its active component. The drug exhibits the following therapeutic effects:
- antiseptic;
- keratolytic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- anti-seborrheic;
- decreased sweat secretion by the skin glands
Effects Details
Why is salicylic ointment prescribed to patients?
The antiseptic effect of this medication contributes to the destruction of pathogenic microorganisms, the relief of inflammation on the skin, in the sweat and sebaceous glands.
Due to the keratolytic effect, the medication in question allows you to remove whiteheads, black dots and "millet" from the skin.
The anti-inflammatory properties of salicylic ointment (10, 25, 50 g) consist in stopping inflammation, reducing its severity, and also in preventing the spread to other tissues. Due to this effect, the drug well removes edema and redness from acne and acne, burned skin, etc.
The antiseborrheic effect of the agent is to reduce the production of sebum. As a result, oily seborrhea, acne and acne are eliminated.
With regard to reducing the formation of sweat, in these cases, the ointment helps in the treatment of burns, eczema and the prevention of corns.
Why is salicylic ointment recommended for patients?
As the main medication, such a drug is prescribed for the treatment of the following skin diseases:
- burns, infectious and inflammatory processes, warts;
- psoriasis, corns, eczema, oily seborrhea;
- ichthyosis, acne vulgaris, dyskeratosis;
- corns, hyperkeratosis, pityriasis versicolor, hair loss, excessive sweating of the legs.
In what cases can not be used?
What helps salicylic ointment, we found out above. However, experts argue that such a drug also has contraindications, which you should definitely familiarize yourself with before using the product.
Contraindications of the medication in question include:
- renal failure;
- infant age;
- individual intolerance to the main substance;
- an allergic reaction to the drug.
Instructions for use
Salicylic ointment is used only externally (applied exclusively to the skin). In case of accidental contact with the drug in the eyes or other mucous membranes, rinse immediately with plenty of water.
The choice of one or another concentration (in percent) of salicylic ointment depends on the type of skin lesion and the severity of the pathology. For example, with severe inflammation, exacerbation of psoriasis or an open wound, it is advisable to use 1% or 2% of the drug. With the remission of chronic diseases, as well as for the relief of a pronounced inflammatory process or partial epithelialization of the wound, the use of 3% or 5% of the drug is permissible.
According to the recommendations of specialists, the choice of salicylic ointment concentration should look like this - it is necessary to use a drug with a lower% active substance content if tissue damage and inflammation are severe.
For various lesions and skin diseases, the ointment is applied 1 or 2 times a day. In this case, the drug is first applied in a thin layer (without rubbing), and then covered with a sterile cloth.
In the event that the touch is painful and unpleasant, then the dressing is pre-saturated with ointment, after which it is applied to the affected area. It is advisable to do such applications 2-3 times a day.
Skin pre-treatment, duration of treatment
To conduct effective therapy, it is not enough to know only about what salicylic ointment helps from. When using such a medication, preliminary preparation of the skin is extremely important. According to the instructions, before applying the drug, the treated area must be thoroughly washed, and if necessary, clean the wound surface from purulent-necrotic masses. After completing the described treatment, the lesion should be washed using any antiseptic solution.
In the event that the skin does not have a burn or wound surface, then it is enough to simply rinse it with water.
The duration of use of salicylic ointment depends on the restoration of the damaged area and the speed of wound healing. As a rule, such a drug is used until the tissues recover completely. This may take from 6 to 25 days.
The instructions say that the maximum duration of continuous use of the medication in question is 4 weeks.
It should also be noted that with a single treatment of one skin area, you can use a maximum of 2 g of salicylic ointment. If these standards are exceeded, there is a high risk of partial absorption of salicylic acid into the systemic circulation. This can provoke severe allergic reactions.
Precautions
The drug based on salicylic acid is forbidden to apply to moles and birthmarks. Also, the ointment is not recommended for use in areas with other formations, especially located in the area of the external genitalia or face.
Interaction with other means
Salicylic ointment should not be mixed with drugs that contain resorcinol, since a melting mixture occurs. In addition, it is forbidden to combine the above preparation with zinc oxide, otherwise an insoluble salt may form.
In the process of using salicylic acid in parallel with any other means that are applied externally, the absorption of the latter into the blood may increase.
The instructions say that salicylic ointment increases the permeability of the skin to other drugs, including glucocorticoid hormones. Also, this tool is able to enhance the severity of the negative effects of hypoglycemic drugs.
Application and appointment to children
In what cases can salicylic ointment be prescribed to a child? According to the information specified in the instructions, such a drug for children is most often used to treat burns, scuffs, wounds or diaper rash. In addition, this medication can be shown to a child with psoriasis, inflammation, mosquito bites, allergic rashes, and other similar skin lesions.
The drug based on salicylic acid in children is used until the skin tissue completely heals. However, such therapy should last no more than 21 days.
Pediatricians report that in relation to children (for any indication) it is allowed to use only 1% or 2% salicylic ointment. Preparations with a higher concentration of the active substance should not be applied to the skin of a child under 12 years old. In infants up to a year, it is permissible to use strictly 1% of the drug.
At one time in children, salicylic ointment is allowed to treat only one area of the skin, the area of which is no more than 100 square meters. see. At the same time, the maximum allowable amount of funds used in a single treatment of the affected area in children is 1 g.
Pregnancy period
Due to the fact that salicylic acid can be absorbed into the blood, it is not recommended to use drugs based on it for pregnant women. In case of urgent need, during the bearing of the fetus, the use of the drug is permissible, but not more than 1 g.
Side effects
Side effects after using salicylic ointment are extremely rare. Sometimes the patient may experience itching, skin rashes, a burning sensation, or allergic reactions. With the development of these phenomena, the use of the medication must be stopped.
Reviews
From pharmacies, salicylic ointment is dispensed without a doctor's prescription. Reviews about this drug are mostly positive. This is due primarily to the fact that he helped a huge number of people to solve various problems with the skin.
Patients using the ointment in question note its versatility. They claim that such a drug well eliminates excessive sweating of the armpits and legs, treats acne, relieves inflammation, accelerates scarring of wounds or a burn surface, and promotes rapid healing of corns.
As for the shortcomings of salicylic ointment, people attribute to them excessive oiliness of the medication, the ability to cause peeling or itching on the treated surface, as well as difficulties with washing off.
Despite all the negative aspects of the drug, patients note that due to the high effectiveness of the ointment, they can be tolerated.