Otc Salicylic Acid For Psoriasis

Use Of Otc Emollients And Creams

Topical emollients and creams are agents that sooth and soften the skin. Emollients, such as lanolin, are rich in fats and oils. They work by moisturizing the skin and protecting it from drying.

Regular use of emollients may lessen the need for anti-inflammatories like corticosteroids in psoriasis.

Ask your dermatologist, family doctor, or pharmacist for their top recommendations.

Otc Medicine For Psoriasis: What To Know

• Summary

People with mild psoriasis may benefit from over-the-counter medicine, which they can get without a prescription. Some OTC medicines contain active ingredients, such as hydrocortisone or coal tar. OTC moisturizers may also benefit those with mild or severe psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic immune disorder that causes skin rashes, which can vary in color from red or violet to dark brown or gray. These rashes may be itchy or painful and may feature silvery scales.

This article explores OTC medicines and other products for treating and easing psoriasis symptoms. It also looks at the various types of psoriasis, including its causes, diagnosis, and treatments.

A doctor or dermatologist will decide how to treat psoriasis according to the severity and location of the affected area. Treatments for mild psoriasis may include OTC and nonprescription medicine people may benefit from the sole or combined use of these various options.

What Are Salicylic Acid Side Effects

The most common side effects of salicylic acid are irritation, dryness, and stinging at the site of application. Although these symptoms arent usually cause for concern, you should talk to your doctor about them if they persist.

Other side effects of salicylic acid are rare, but potentially serious. You should seek emergency medical assistance right away if you experience any of the following:

• confusion

2015 literature review caution that salicylic acid is not a suitable treatment for psoriasis in young children due its risk of side effects. In addition, people with kidney or liver problems and widespread psoriasis may be at an increased risk of experiencing side effects.

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Dermarest Psoriasis Medicated Moisturizer

Dermarest Psoriasis Medicated Moisturizer contains 2 percent salicylic acid and can help remove scales, soothe itchy skin, reduce redness, and restore moisture.

One MyPsoriasisTeam member said, For the itching, I use Dermarest. Another agreed that, Dermarest helps with the itching and isn’t greasy. A third member wrote, Dermarest seems to help. I have it around my eyes and nostrils, along with Vaseline. I put it on at night.

How We Chose The Best Shampoos For Scalp Psoriasis

To create this list, we looked mainly for products that contain salicylic acid and coal tar to target scalp psoriasis. These are two ingredients recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology Association .

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid thats often used as an exfoliant. It helps soften and break down plaques and scales for easier removal. Removing the plaques should help ease symptoms, like itching, burning, and irritation.

Coal tar is derived from black coal, and, according to the AAD, has been used to treat psoriasis for over 100 years. It helps pump the brakes to make sure the skin cells on your scalp arent growing too fast and building up. Still, coal tar can be drying and can stain.

We also included shampoos with other research-backed ingredients, like selenium sulfide.

Finally, we looked at reviews from customers with scalp psoriasis to determine the effectiveness of each one.

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Cream Lotion: Salicylic Acid 6% :

Before Taking This Medicine

You should not use salicylic acid topical if you are allergic to it.

Using this medicine in a child or teenager with flu symptoms or chickenpox can cause a serious or fatal condition called Reye’s syndrome.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have:

• liver or kidney disease

Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

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Topical Treatments For Psoriasis

These are drugs you rub directly on your skin. Along with a good moisturizer, theyâre usually the first thing your doctor will suggest, especially for mild to moderate psoriasis. There are over-the-counter and prescription options.

Topical treatments for psoriasis come as ointments, creams, or foam and include:

Steroid creams. These slow down immune cells in your skin. They can ease swelling and redness. Mild steroid creams are available over the counter. Youâll need a prescription from your doctor for something stronger. Steroids come with side effects and shouldnât be used on sensitive areas like your face or genitals. They can burn or thin the skin. Use them exactly the way your doctor tells you.

Salicylic acid. This can soften and thin scaly skin. But it can also irritate your skin if you leave it on too long. It might weaken your hair follicles and cause temporary hair loss, too. The body can absorb salicylic acid if you put it on large patches of skin.

Calcipotriol . This is a strong form of synthetic vitamin D. Itâs known to control overactive skin cells. Your doctor might pair it with a steroid cream.

Tazorac is available gel or cream and applied one and twice daily. it is ot recommended for those who are pregnant or breast-feeding or intending to become pregnant.

Vitamin D Analogues: How They Help

Vitamin D analogues are used to help control overactive skin cell production by binding to the vitamin D receptors on the skin cells.

Topical vitamin D analogues such as:

• calcitriol

are effective at slowing the growth of the skin cells and can be used with emollients and topical corticosteroids applied to the skin.

Calcipotriene with betamethasone is a vitamin D analogue that is already combined with an antiinflammatory corticosteroid. Brands include: Taclonex, Taclonex Scalp, Wynzora and Enstilar.

The most common side effect with these agents is mild skin irritation. Some topical vitamin D analogues may take up to 6 to 8 weeks for their full effect.

Oral calcitriol can also be used for psoriasis.

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Consider A Scalp Mask

Want to take a break, feel a little bit luxurious, and give yourself an easier time with getting rid of those scales?

You can plop a plastic cap over your soapy locks and stand under the shower for 10 minutes.

Keeping the water warm rather than hot will lock in those active ingredients.

Its worth taking your time and following these steps gently but thoroughly:

Be meticulous. Be painstaking. Comb every inch of your hair, especially around the scales. Youll thank yourself for it later.

Then, rinse out the suds.

What Should I Avoid While Using Salicylic Acid Topical

Avoid using salicylic acid topical on open wounds or on sunburned, windburned, dry, or irritated skin.

Rinse with water if this medicine gets in your eyes or mouth.

This medicine may be flammable. Do not use near high heat or open flame. Wash the medicine off your hands before handling a hair styling appliance . High heat could cause the medicine to ignite and burn your skin. Do not smoke until the gel has completely dried on your skin.

Avoid using other medications on the areas you treat with salicylic acid topical, unless you doctor tells you to.

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Is Salicylic Acid Good For The Treatment Of Psoriasis

The ingredient salicylic acid seems to pop up a lot in skincare products. These days you will find salicylic acid in anti-wrinkle creams, moisturizing lotions and even over-the-counter drug products. Sometimes when people see the word acid in an ingredient list they immediately think it is going to burn when they apply it to their psoriasis area. However, if formulated correctly, salicylic acid can be a very good for the treatment of psoriasis.

What Is Synthetic Vitamin D

People with psoriasis can use lotions and creams containing synthetic vitamin D to slow the growth of new skin cells.

These can help:

• reduce the accumulation of skin cells
• flatten thick patches
• remove scales

Some lotions containing vitamin D may irritate a persons skin, but it is safe for most people to use, including children.

When people use them in excess on large areas of the body, it can increase calcium levels in the blood, increasing the risk of kidney stones and other problems. However, a person who follows the doctors instructions is unlikely to experience adverse effects.

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What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture .

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.

Topical Retinoids: Vitamin A Derivatives

Tazarotene is a vitamin A derivative that affects epidermal cell growth in psoriasis and exhibits some anti-inflammatory action. It is also available as a generic option.

• Tazarotene comes in a cream or gel and is used primarily for mild to moderate psoriasis. Tazorac is also approved for acne treatment.
• Other brands of tazarotene, approved for other uses, include Arazlo , Fabior and Avage
• In 2019, a combination of halobetasol, a topical corticosteroid, and tazarotene from Bausch Health was FDA-approved for plaque psoriasis.

Acitretin is an oral retinoid, also a form of vitamin A, that comes as a capsule .

• It is used for severe forms of psoriasis that do not respond to other treatments. Acitretin is not a cure for psoriasis, and your psoriasis may come back after you stop taking this medication.
• It is also available as a generic option.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings

Important: View the patient counseling information for Tazorac or Soriatane to learn more about the Contraindications and Warnings for Use in pregnancy and breastfeeding and discuss this information with your doctor.

• Soriatane Patient Counseling Information

In addition, you must NOT become pregnant while taking acitretin and for at least 3 YEARS after stopping acitretin, so that the drug can be eliminated to below a blood concentration that would be associated with an increased incidence of birth defects.

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Tips For Treating Scalp Psoriasis

In addition to finding a specially formulated shampoo, here are a few other things you can do to keep scalp psoriasis symptoms in check:

• Shampoo your hair as often as you can. This will help alleviate buildup and itchiness of the scalp. However, keep in mind that shampooing every day isnt suitable for all hair types.
• Limit stress, alcohol, and smoking. Along with irritants in your hair products, scalp psoriasis flare-ups can also be triggered by stress, alcohol consumption, and smoking. Limiting stress and intake of these substances may help keep things under control.
• Try aloe vera.Aloe vera gel has anti-inflammatory properties and may be soothing. You can try applying it to your scalp, or look for it as an ingredient in your shampoo.
• Use baking soda.Baking soda is great for an itchy scalp. One tablespoon of baking soda mixed with a cup of water should do the trick. Apply the mixture to your scalp to relieve itching and irritation.
• Apply natural oils. These will help keep your scalp moisturized and are filled with fats to keep the scalp healthy. Coconut oil is a great oil to start with.

What Does Psoriasis Look Like

Psoriasis can occur on any area of the body, including hands, feet, elbows, scalp or genitals.

• In plaque psoriasis, the most common form of psoriasis, the skin tends to be dry, flaky, itchy, red and covered with white scales.
• Psoriasis can affect small areas of the body or be very widespread.
• For many people, psoriasis can lead to embarrassment, self-consciousness, or stress some people may require treatment for depression or anxiety.
• Family doctors, dermatologists, or rheumatologists may treat your psoriasis depending upon site and severity.
• See more pictures of psoriasis.

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Uniquely Formulated For Psoriasis Symptom Relief Plus Symptom Recurrence Control

Why Is This Medication Prescribed

Topical salicylic acid is used to help clear and prevent pimples and skin blemishes in people who have acne. Topical salicylic acid is also used to treat skin conditions that involve scaling or overgrowth of skin cells such as psoriasis , ichthyoses , dandruff, corns, calluses, and warts on the hands or feet. Topical salicylic acid should not be used to treat genital warts, warts on the face, warts with hair growing from them, warts in the nose or mouth, moles, or birthmarks. Salicylic acid is in a class of medications called keratolytic agents. Topical salicylic acid treats acne by reducing swelling and redness and unplugging blocked skin pores to allow pimples to shrink. It treats other skin conditions by softening and loosening dry, scaly, or thickened skin so that it falls off or can be removed easily.

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How To Administer Topical Salicylic Acid

It is only indicated for external use, not for ophthalmic, oral, or vaginal use.

Eyes and mucous membrane contact should be avoided.

In the case of excessive peeling or stinging, therapy should be withdrawn.

Hands should be washed thoroughly after application.

Keralyt gel:

• The scalp should be washed off with warm water or Keralyt shampoo.

Keralyt shampoo:

• It should be applied to the affected areas of dry scalp and rinsed off with water or non medicated shampoo after 5 minutes.
• Treatment time should be increased up to 1 hour.
• Alternatively, apply as a medicated shampoo on wet hair and work into a lather and rinse after several minutes.

Salvax foam:

• It should be vigorously shaken before use
• turn nozzle down to dispense foam.
• Rub in until completely absorbed.

Bensal HP:

• The area should be rinsed with water or saline and pat dry.
• Using a cotton-tipped applicator, apply a thin continuous layer directly to wound or to a dry gauze to place directly over the wound.
• Wet-to-dry dressings or wet-packs should not be used. Slight burning may occur for 3 to 5 minutes after application.
• Apply dressing to shield the area from clothes or exposure to water or dirt expose the treatment area to air when possible.

Acne products:

Corn and callus products:

Things To Know About Using Coal Tar For Psoriasis

Coal tar products are available in various strengths and forms, including lotions, shampoos, and creams. These products are approved by the US FDA at strengths of between 0.5% and 5% coal tar. Some patients have a better response in their symptoms with lower strengths of the product2. Brand names for coal tar products include Neutrogena T/Gel and Psoriasin.

Using coal tar can cause side effects on the skin such as irritation, reddening, and dryness. Applying it on top of a layer of moisturizer can help to reduce those effects.

Coal tar can also make your skin more likely to sunburn, so it is important to use sunscreen and avoid the sun if possible unless directed otherwise by a doctor. Some patients dislike coal tar products because they have a strong smell and they can stain clothing, towels, sheets, and even light-colored hair3.

There are also combination topical treatments available that combine coal tar with salicylic acid, such as X-Seb T Plus, Pazol XS, and SLT.

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Otc Psoriasis Medications Containing Coal Tar

People were using coal tar to heal irritated skin conditions over a hundred years ago. Because it has remained effective at slowing the growth rate of skin cells during a psoriasis outbreak, coal tar is still utilized in ointments for psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema as well as dandruff shampoos.

A natural extract of coal, coal tar is viscous, black and smells strongly of oil. Coal tar is usually combined with other psoriasis treatments such as salicylic acid and potent moisturizers to relieve itching and scaling. Concentrations of coal tar in creams can vary from one percent up to 20 percent.

Coal tar is applied directly on psoriasis lesions or massaged into the scalp as a shampoo. Users should stay out of direct sunlight for several hours because coal tar increases the skin’s sensitivity to ultraviolet rays. When psoriasis affects the entire body, you can add about one tablespoon of a coal tar solution to a tubful of warm water and soak in this solution for five minutes to soften plaques.