Medical uses of salicylic acid

Salicylic acid
	Cotton pads soaked in salicylic acid for medical use
Clinical data
Trade names	Various trade names
AHFS/Drugs.com	Multum Consumer Information
Routes of; administration	Topical administration
ATC code	D01AE12 (WHO) ;
Legal status
Legal status	US: OTC;
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	low
Identifiers
CAS Number	69-72-7;
PubChem CID	338;
DrugBank	DB00936;
ChemSpider	331;
UNII	O414PZ4LPZ;
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C7H6O3
Molar mass	138.122 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
	SMILES c1ccc(c(c1)C(=O)O)O;
	InChI InChI=1S/C7H6O3/c8-6-4-2-1-3-5(6)7(9)10/h1-4,8H,(H,9,10); Key:YGSDEFSMJLZEOE-UHFFFAOYSA-N;

Salicylic acid is used as a medicine to help remove the outer layer of the skin. As such it is used to treat warts, skin tags, calluses, psoriasis, dandruff, acne, ringworm, and ichthyosis. For conditions other than warts, it is often used together with other medications. It is applied to the area affected.

Side effects include skin irritation, and salicylate poisoning. Salicylate poisoning tends to only occur when applied to a large area and in children. Use is thus not recommended in children less than two years old. It comes in a number of different strengths.

It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. It is also available mixed with coal tar, zinc oxide, or benzoic acid.