Mediplast topical salicylic acid (1668)

Reason for use

What is salicylic acid?

• This medicine slowly destroys skin that is infected with the wart virus.  It is put on the wart daily or every other day for many weeks.  It may take 3 or more months for the wart to clear.  
• This medicine can be purchased over-the-counter.  A prescription is not needed.
• It comes as a liquid, gel, stick, or pads that stick to your skin.
• The strength ranges from 17% to 40%.  

What supplies do I need?

• Topical salicylic acid product.
• Adhesive tape, like duct tape.
• Emery board, rough pumice stone or foot file. 

How do I use this medicine?

Your child’s healthcare provider or nurse will explain how and when to give this medicine to your child.  If you have questions, ask your child’s healthcare provider, nurse, medical assistant, or pharmacist.

1. Soak the area with the wart in warm water for 20 to 30 minutes.  Your child may take a bath instead of soaking.  Keep the area being treated in the water when taking a bath.  After the bath, dry the area well and then put the salicylic acid on.
2. Make sure that the medicine only touches the wart and does not get onto the surrounding skin.
3. Cover the salicylic acid with adhesive tape.
4. If using a patch, it can be left on for up to 48 hours.
5. After 48 hours, repeat soaking the affected area.  Then use an emery board, pumice, or foot file to remove any dead skin before you apply the medicine.  This is important to allow the medicine to penetrate deep enough in the skin to reach the wart.   
• Do not let anyone else take this medicine.
• It may be easiest to put this medicine on before bed and remove in the morning.

Are there any side effects?

Possible side effects include Skin irritation or stinging.

• If the wart or surrounding skin starts to get irritated, take a break from using the medicine for a few days.  Allow the skin to heal before re-starting the treatment.
• Irritation often happens from using too much medicine or when the medicine touches the skin around the wart.  

Special information

General information:

• Some wart pads contain latex. If your child has a latex allergy do not use those that have latex.   
• Do not use this medicine: 
  – If your child has diabetes, poor circulation, or blood vessel disease.
  – If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding.
  – On moles, birthmarks, genital warts or warts on the face or mucous membranes or close to the nails.
  – On skin that is open, irritated, infected or reddened.
• Wash your hands right away after putting this medicine on a wart.  
• Keep this medicine out of the reach of children.