Essential Medicines with billions of pills consumed annually!
Aspirin is one of the most popular anti-inflammatory medications in the world, which is on the list of WHO’s list of Essential Medicines with billions of pills consumed annually. It has been used for centuries for its known health benefits. So, when you hear of a recipe to crush a couple of aspirin tablets and make a paste out of it to create a home remedy for acne, it may or may not sound like an old wives’ tale at first glance. In reality, science shows that the salicylic acid which is closely related to aspirin’s chemical structure (acetylsalicylic acid) can be used in treatment of acne vulgaris and as a peeling agent, which disrupts cellular junctions of the skin cells.
In the hands of an experienced dermatologist, it can be used for acne and melasma treatment. And, as any treatment, it comes with some side effects, such as allergic reactions of the skin, redness and in some cases toxicity from absorption through the skin. However, let’s not forget that aspirin is not the same as salicylic acid and its use for acne scars is not an accepted medical practice. A better a simpler ways to treat acne would be through a prescription medication from a physician, such as benzoyl peroxide, topical antibiotics, retinoids, and correcting possible underlying hormonal imbalances. Nowadays, searching for medical advise on internet is likely to create hundreds of hits with credible and not so credible information on any subject, which can prove to be dangerous.
Another example of bad advise spreading over internet has been poking one’s fingers during stroke, as it was said that such practice will somehow stop the progression of a stroke. From a physician’s standpoint, there is absolutely no evidence of it being helpful, and, in fact, can result in delays in treatment. As a parent and as a physician, the best advise to children would be to teach them how to properly search for credible information and check the sources before applying unverified advise on themselves. Such practice can prove to be dangerous to one’s health and be laden with side effects.
In health,
Natasha Fuksina, MD.
