1. Reduce or Eliminate Use of Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is often used in the treatment of acne and other skin conditions to exfoliate the face. Concentrations of acid used in medications can vary greatly, from as little as 2 percent to as much as 35 percent. When a medication is used too vigorously or frequently, or if a single treatment is applied for too long, burning can result. Cutting back on the use of the exfoliant or eliminating its use altogether can remedy mild burning and irritation.
2. Apply First Aid for Burns
First, wash the salicylic acid off your face. Don't use any other cleansers at this point. You simply want to flush the acid from your skin to prevent further damage. Once the acid has been diluted, pat the area dry. Don't aggressively rub it dry or otherwise abrade the skin any more than necessary. The next step is to reach for the hydrocortisone. You can use either name-brand or generic ointment to treat the acid rash. This will hopefully eliminate most of the burning and itching sensation. Other antihistamines can also help. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist for recommendations. Overtreatment (or treatment with the wrong medications or ointments to which you may be allergic) can worsen the problem. In general, drugs such as Benadryl, Advil, Tylenol, and other over-the-counters should be sufficient to treat the pain and secondary symptoms for all but the most severe burns.
3. Long-Term Treatment Options
As the burn heals, it may puff up, blister, change color and peel. While you may be tempted to cover up these symptoms with yet more ointments and cleansers, remember that your skin can be extremely sensitive in the wake of an acid burn. Talk to your doctor about how to treat both the cosmetic and medical side effects of the burn. You also may want to curtail your salicylic acid treatments altogether and seek out other, gentler skin cleansing options.
