What are the side effects of salicylic acid to one's health?

Author: Dejuan Walsh  |  Last update: Sunday, December 14, 2025

If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop using salicylic acid and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical help:
  • hives.
  • itching.
  • throat tightness.
  • difficulty breathing.
  • feeling faint.
  • swelling of the eyes, face, lips, or tongue.

Does salicylic acid have negative effects?

Slight burning, skin redness, and peeling may occur. These effects are expected. If any of these effects worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.

What are the health hazards of salicylic acid?

The substance is severely irritating to the eyes. The substance may cause effects on the central nervous system, acid-base balance in the body and gastrointestinal tract when ingested in large amounts. This may result in delirium, tremors and coma.

Can salicylic acid enter the bloodstream?

Dermal salicylate preparations have been shown to reach the bloodstream. However, the serum concentrations do not reach toxic levels. Theoretically, this may occur in children or patients with compromised skin, such as due to burns or psoriasis.

What are the warnings of salicylic acid?

Salicylic acid topical can cause a serious allergic reaction or severe skin irritation. Stop using salicylic acid topical and get emergency medical help if you have: wheezing or trouble breathing, hives, itching, feeling light-headed, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

What are the side effects of Salicylic Acid?

How toxic is salicylic acid?

The level at which salicylic toxicity begins is 35 mg/dL. The half-life of salicylic acid can range from 2 to 12 hours depending on the dose. If 16 g of lotion is applied twice a day, salicylic acid could accumulate in the body and levels could even become high enough to cause death.

What happens if you use salicylic acid everyday?

"If salicylic acid is an ingredient in your cleanser, it is fine to use it every day." However, if you are using an exfoliant that has salicylic acid in the formula, Dr. Hu advised only using the product three times per week to avoid over-exfoliating the skin and drying it out.

Who should avoid salicylic acid?

Also, do not use this medicine if you are a diabetic or if you have poor blood circulation. Do not use this medicine on warts with hair growing from them or on warts on the face, in or on the genital (sex) organs, or inside the nose or mouth. Also do not use on moles or birthmarks. To do so may cause severe irritation.

What are the first symptoms of salicylate toxicity?

Symptoms and Signs of Salicylate Poisoning

With acute overdose, early symptoms include nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, and hyperventilation. Later symptoms include hyperactivity, fever, confusion, and seizures. Rhabdomyolysis, acute renal failure, and respiratory failure may eventually develop.

How long does salicylic acid stay in your system?

Salicylic acid is readily absorbed in the stomach and small bowel. At therapeutic doses, salicylic acid is metabolized by the liver and eliminated in 2-3 hours.

What are the acute effects of salicylic acid to one's health?

(Salicylism)

Salicylate poisoning can cause vomiting, tinnitus, confusion, hyperthermia, respiratory alkalosis, metabolic acidosis, and multiple organ failure. Diagnosis is clinical, supplemented by measurement of the anion gap, arterial blood gases, and serum salicylate levels.

What does overuse of salicylic acid do?

Sun Protection: Salicylic acid can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so always apply sunscreen during the day to protect your skin from UV damage. Avoid Overuse: Using too many salicylic acid products at once can lead to over-exfoliation and irritation. Stick to only one product in your routine.

Is salicylic acid good for mature skin?

The exfoliating properties of salicylic acid boost skin cell renewal. This, in turn, stimulates collagen production and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Collagen also gives your face structure and prevents saggy and ageing skin.

Can salicylic acid cause hair loss?

Rachel Maiman, MD, FAAD, boardcertified dermatologist at Marmur Medical says that salicylic acid gives the most benefits to the scalp rather than the hair itself. Since it improves scalp health, however, salicylic acid may also support hair growth since it's creating a better environment for hair to grow in.

How can I get salicylic acid naturally?

Broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, mushrooms, radishes, spinach, and zucchini all contain high amounts of salicylates. Vegetables from the nightshade family, like eggplant and peppers, also contain salicylates. Tomatoes are very high in salicylates.

How to flush salicylates from your body?

How do you flush salicylates out of your body? The body naturally clears salicylates over time. Increasing water intake and avoiding salicylate-rich foods can help speed up this process. In severe cases, doctors may recommend medications to manage symptoms​.

How much salicylic acid is considered to be fatal?

The acutely toxic dose of aspirin is generally considered greater than 150 mg per kg of body mass. Moderate toxicity occurs at doses up to 300 mg/kg, severe toxicity occurs between 300 and 500 mg/kg, and a potentially lethal dose is greater than 500 mg/kg.

What does salicylate intolerance feel like?

Commonly reported symptoms of salicylate sensitivity include: • Itchy skin • hives (urticaria) • rashes • eczema • stomach pain • nausea • diarrhoea • headaches • fatigue • itchy/watery or swollen eyes • runny/blocked nose • sinusitis • nasal polyps • wheezing or worsening asthma.

What Cannot be paired with salicylic acid?

Salicylic Acid is considered to be one of the most effective peeling agents. Using Salicylic Acid with Retinol or Benzoyl Peroxide can dry out the skin, causing flakiness and redness.

Is witch hazel the same as salicylic acid?

While salicylic acid is a common ingredient in skincare products, witch hazel stands out for its gentleness and versatility. Both can be used to treat acne and improve skin appearance, but this natural astringent is often a better choice for those with sensitive or dry skin due to its soothing properties.

Does salicylic acid affect hormones?

The result from the study showed significantly decreased testosterone levels at all Aspirin concentrations, with 20 – 75 % compared to control and for PGD2 Aspirin led to a modest decrease in the production at all time- points.

What percentage of salicylic acid is in CeraVe?

CeraVe is the #1 dermatologist-recommended cleanser brand for acne*, and our new Acne Control Cleanser with 2% salicylic acid is formulated to clear acne, reduce blackheads and improve the appearance of pores, while purifying clay helps absorb excess oil.

When should I stop using salicylic acid?

Salicylic acid may produce mild side effects, such as skin irritation or peeling. If people experience more severe side effects, they should stop using the product and contact their doctor.

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