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Salicylic acid psoriasis medications help to remove the thick layers of the dead skin from the psoriatic plaques, thus allowing the other medications and treatments to get to skin underneath the plaques more easily.
Other scale removers for psoriasis include lactic acid, urea and phenol.
Salicylic acid by itself is usually not a psoriasis treatment, it rather helps to improve the effectiveness of the topical steroids, anthralin, coal tar and UV light therapy. Though in some cases people successfully use Salicylic acid psoriasis medications particularly for psoriasis treatment.
Salicylic acid possesses keratoplastic (normalizes keratin and skin cell formation), keratolytic (dissolves, breaks down and removes the keratin-containing outer layer of skin; softens and removes the scales), antiseptic, disinfectant and bacteriostatic (inhibits bacterial growth) effects.
Salicylic acid psoriasis medications are available Over the Counter ( OTC) in concentrations up to 3% (usually used for psoriasis); concentrations over 3% require a doctor's prescription. In some people, even the 3% concentration of Salicylic acid can lead to skin irritation or even to worsening of psoriasis.
Salicylic acid can also cause irritation if left on the skin for too long.
OTC Salicylic acid Psoriasis Treatment
Salicylic acid for psoriasis treatment is available in the following main OTC forms:
- gel/jelly:
- For psoriasis use the 1-3% gel 1 time a day. Usage: wet the skin for at least 5 minutes (i.e. take a shower). Cover the affected by psoriasis areas with a layer of gel and gently rub it in.
- lotion:
- For psoriasis use the 1-2% lotion on the scalp 1 time a day. Usage: Cover the affected by psoriasis areas with a layer of lotion and gently rub it in.
- ointment:
- For psoriasis use the 1-3% ointment 1 time a day. Usage: Cover the affected by psoriasis areas with a layer of ointment and gently rub it in.
- shampoo:
- For psoriasis use on the scalp 1-2 times a week. Usage: wet the scalp. Work up lather and rub it well into the scalp for 2-3 minutes, then rinse. Repeat the procedure and thoroughly rinse your scalp.
- dressing (occlusion):
- For psoriasis use as prescribed by your doctor.
- topical solution:
- For psoriasis use as prescribed by your doctor.
Salicylic acid products in various dosages and forms are also used for other skin disorders, such as acne, seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff, corns, calluses, warts etc.
Low potent Salicylic acid is available in pads, soap and foam form for acne treatment; high potent Salicylic acid is available in plasters and stick form - for corns, calluses and common warts.
Wart removers contain Salicylic acid at strengths about 10-20%. There are known cases when people with psoriasis have tried using wart removers to treat their psoriasis. The skin around the plaques, where the wart remover was applied, gets severely burned in this case.
Salicylic acid for Scalp Psoriasis
The most often form of Salicylic acid used for scalp psoriasis treatment is a Salicylic acid shampoo.
However, 2% Salicylic acid psoriasis ointments are also reported to be very effective for the scalp psoriasis treatment. One application of a Salicylic acid ointment on the scalp has helped some people to get rid of the "psoriatic helmet" on their heads. With the regular use it has completely freed them from the crusts.
The negative of such treatment is that it is very hard to wash the Salicylic acid ointment off the scalp. Applying the ointment by thin layer on the partings and trying not to grease the hair may help to wash the ointment off more easily after the procedure.
For strengthening the effect it is possible to wrap the head up with kitchen cellophane and to leave it on for the time of the treatment. Please first consult with your doctor before starting such scalp psoriasis treatment.
Safety Advice
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Be especially careful when treating young children with Salicylic acid psoriasis preparations. Young children are more likely to develop a skin irritation or to absorb big amounts of Salicylic acid into their body. Therefore in small children Salicylic acid should not be used on large areas of the body, used for long periods of time, or used under a dressing. Salicylic acid should not be used at all in children younger than 2 y/o.
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Elderly people are more subjected to blood vessel disease. Therefore treatment with Salicylic acid in elderly people should also be conducted with caution.
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Unfortunately, I was not able to find any studies on the effect of the Salicylic acid psoriasis medications during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Please consult your doctor and weigh the known risks of the Salicylic acid absorption into the body if you want to use Salicylic acid during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
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Use Salicylic acid psoriasis medications only as directed - do not exceed the concentration, the length or the frequency of the treatment. Improper use of the Salicylic acid may lead to various side-effects, including severe skin irritation and Salicylic acid poisoning.
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Be especially careful while using an occlusive dressing (airtight covering, i.e. placing a kitchen plastic wrap on top of the applied medication) with the Salicylic acid. An occlusion will increase the absorption of the Salicylic acid into the body through the skin. This especially may lead to Salicylic acid poisoning with the improper use.
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Do not let the Salicylic acid medication get onto the mucous membranes (i.e. inside the mouth or nose) or into the eyes. If it has accidentally happened, immediately start flushing with a large amount of water for at least 15 minutes.
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Sometimes Salicylic acid is used for the treatment of Palmoplantar psoriasis. In this case be very careful not to touch your eyes and face until you thoroughly rinse the medicine from your hands.
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After applying the medicine on the parts of the body thoroughly wash your hands.
Drug Interaction
- Using Salicylic acid with Varicella Virus Vaccine is usually not recommended.
- Salicylic acid should not be used together with Dovonex.
- Salicylic acid is used in some Anthralin products in order to prevent the oxidation of the Anthralin compounds.
- Sulfuric-Salicylic ointment in some cases was also reported to be effective for the treatment of psoriasis. Please note that the Sulfuric-Salicylic ointment is not considered by the FDA to be a psoriasis treatment. It is considered to only be a dandruff treatment.
- Do not use Salicylic acid together with Abrasive cleansers; Alcohol-containing preparations; Preparations containing other peeling agents (i.e., benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, or tretinoin); or with Medicated cosmetics.
Possible Counter-indications
Consult with your doctor before using any Salicylic acid psoriasis medications if you have any of the following disorders:
- Ulcers;
- Anemia;
- Allergies;
- Blood vessel disease;
- Sugar diabetes;
- Skin inflammation, irritation, or skin infections;
- Flu or Varicella;
- Kidney disease or Liver disease.
Side Effects
The possible side-effects of Salicylic acid psoriasis medications include:
- Skin irritation;
- Stinging;
- Spasms;
- Dermatitis;
- Dryness of skin;
- Redness of skin;
- Flushing;
- Unusually warm skin;
- Vertigo;
- Disorders of the kidneys and liver functions.
Salicylic acid Poisoning
Salicylic acid Poisoning is a serious condition which occurs when too much of a Salicylic acid is absorbed into the body through the skin.
If you experience nausea, vomiting, dizziness, loss of hearing, diarrhea, and psychic disturbances after using a Salicylic acid psoriasis medication - this may be a sign of a Salicylic acid poisoning, aka Salicylate toxicity.
This condition can especially occur in children under 12 y/o and in the people with kidney or liver problems.
Salicylic acid Poisoning symptoms include:
- Confusion.
- Diarrhea.
- Dizziness.
- Fast or deep breathing.
- Severe or continuing Headache.
- Hearing loss.
- Feeling Lightheaded.
- Nausea or Vomiting.
- Rapid breathing.
- Continuing Ringing or buzzing in ears.
- Severe drowsiness.
- Stomach pain.
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