If you have ever suffered a minor skin condition, you may have heard of salicylic acid. It is a common first-line, over-the-counter treatment for a variety of problems. If it does not work, you head for a doctor and ask for something stronger. Salicylic acid is not always mild, though. Higher concentrations may require a prescription.
Conditions
One common use for salicylic acid is in treating and preventing acne. It is also present in medications for diseases involving skin overgrowth, according to Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. Such conditions include psoriasis, dandruff, corns, calluses and warts.
Action
Salicylic acid is a keratolytic medication, meaning it tends to soften keratin, a protein found in the topmost layer of skin, according to the New Zealand Dermatological Society. It makes dry skin easier to remove. In the case of acne, salicylic acid works by slowing down cell shedding inside the follicles, preventing clogs. It also directly breaks down blackheads and whiteheads.
Types
Salicylic acid comes in many forms, including pads to wipe the skin, lotions, creams, gels, liquids, shampoos and ointments. It also comes in an array of strengths, from 0.5 percent to 60 percent. How much you use and how often you use it depends on the skin problem you have, according to Drugs.com. Recommended usage ranges from several times each day to two or three times per week.
Side Effects
Salicyclic acid often leads to dry, irritated skin at the beginning of treatment, according to Medline Plus. You can use the product less often until your skin feels better. More serious side effects, which warrant a call to you doctor, include dizziness, confusion, headache, ringing in the ears, hearing loss, nausea and vomiting.
Warnings
Salicylic acid is not for use with genital warts, warts on the face or warts in the mouth or nose, according to Medline Plus. A doctor needs to examine these conditions and prescribe appropriate treatment. Aditionally, children or adolescents who have the flu or chicken pox should not use salicylic acid without a doctor's recommendation because of the risk of Reye's syndrime, where fat builds up on the brain and liver.
