Salicylic acid is an over-the-counter medication that you can get at any pharmacy. It is commonly used to treat warts, as it causes the skin to peel.
However, it is not recommended to apply salicylic acid on warts located on the face, neck, or genitals.
Índice
How do I then remove flat warts from the face?
In most cases, flat warts disappear on their own. The time they may take to disappear depends on your overall health, and also on their location. They do not cause pain or present other symptoms.
If they are on the face, your doctor may recommend a gentle treatment to prevent scarring. For example, using a topical cream containing retinoic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
Other treatments can also be applied such as:
- electrocautery,
- laser,
- cryotherapy,
- or surgical removal.
Keep in mind that regardless of the treatment applied, flat warts can spread or reappear.
How to treat other types of warts with salicylic acid?
Warts, not located in the critical areas already mentioned (such as the face), can be treated with this medication.
The procedure you should follow for their removal is as follows:
- Soak the wart in warm water for 10 minutes. This can help loosen the skin and thus the acid penetrates more easily.
- You can gently file the wart with a nail file or a pumice stone. It should be noted that the stone or file you use for this task cannot be used for anything else. Nor can you share it with another person. This helps remove dead tissue.
- Apply the salicylic acid to the wart before going to bed. If it’s a patch or pad, you can cut it to size, as the acid cannot touch the skin. Cover with hypoallergenic tape or a band-aid.
- Remove the dressing in the morning and rinse well with water.
- Repeat the procedure every night.
Stop the procedure when the wart falls off. Likewise, you should not continue with the treatment if the area becomes irritated or hurts. In that case, you should consult with your doctor.
It can cause mild discomfort or redness. If you notice peeling, it means the wart is disappearing.
Precautions with the use of salicylic acid
Salicylic acid, as a medication, is for topical use. You can find it in different forms:
- gauzes,
- cream,
- lotion,
- gel,
- shampoo,
- or patches.
Its application is always recommended following a doctor’s instructions. It can range from several times a day to repeating the applications only a few times a week.
You should not ingest the medication, nor get it close to your eyes, nose, or mouth. In case of accidental contact with these areas, a rinse with cold water for 15 minutes is necessary.
It is also not advisable to apply it on cracked skin, inflamed or reddened areas. Finally, it is not recommended for use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
These were some tips to help you know how to deal with HPV. However, there is much more you need to do if you really want to get rid of HPV and warts forever.
What you need to do is GET RID OF THE ROOT of the problem.
For that reason, I recommend you to look into Dr. Kirkland's story and how he was able to cure HPV and get rid of warts for good.
I wish you great success in your recovery!
Sources:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/salicylic-acid-topical-route/description/drg-20066030
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24337-flat-warts
Medically reviewed by Dr. John Wellington. Dr. John Wellington is a board-certified physician specializing in urology. With over 15 years of experience, he is passionate about sharing his knowledge through a popular health blog. Dr. Wellington holds an MD from Ivy League University and is a member of prestigious medical associations.
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