Salicylic Acid and Pregnancy

Salicylic acid is a colorless organic acid that belongs to the class of beta hydroxy acids. It is chemically similar to acetylsalicylic acid, which is the active compound in aspirin. It can reduce redness and inflammation of the skin, for which it is used in some skin conditions like, acne which can be a nuisance, particularly for adolescents and teenagers. However, pregnant women can also experience this skin condition, mainly due to the hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy. Though salicylic acid is often looked at as one of the best over-the-counter medications for acne treatment, it may not be very wise to use this product in large doses during pregnancy. But, before going into the details of salicylic acid and pregnancy, let's take a brief look at the medicinal and cosmetic uses of this organic acid.

Uses of Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid comes in two forms, oral and topical. Topical salicylic acid can be found as a lotion or cream. Salicylic acid is used for both medicinal and cosmetic purposes. It has anti-inflammatory properties and is known to provide relief in pain and reduce fever. Salicylic acid along with its derivatives are used to relieve muscle and joint stiffness. However, salicylic acid is mainly popular for its cosmetic uses. It is an important ingredient in many skin care products. It can also be used to treat skin conditions like, psoriasis and to remove warts, calluses, corns and dandruff. Salicylic acid is known to exfoliate the skin, by removing the dead skin cells to unclog the skin pores, for which it is widely employed for acne treatment. Apart from these, salicylic acid is also used as a food preservative.

Salicylic Acid and Pregnant Women

As has been mentioned already, salicylic acid is available in two forms, topical and oral. Use of topical salicylic acid in small amounts is largely considered safe for pregnant women. But, use of a large amount of salicylic acid topically is usually not recommended for pregnant women. However, there are no conclusive studies on topical salicylic acid and pregnancy. But, salicylic acid is absorbed by the skin, and thus, it can enter the bloodstream. Therefore, many physicians suggest maintaining precaution regarding the use of topical salicylic acid during pregnancy. Pregnant women are generally advised to avoid topical use of the product in a large amount and for a long time.

Though, the effects of topical salicylic acid on pregnant women is not very clear, the oral form of the product have been found to cause some serious side effects. Use of oral salicylic acid in later pregnancy has been associated with intracranial bleeding. Studies on salicylic acid and pregnancy has also revealed an increased risk for miscarriage and birth defects. Sometimes, overuse of salicylic acid can give rise to heart and lung problems in newborn babies. An overdose of salicylic acid, on the other hand, is known to cause acidosis, which can prove fatal at times.

In general, pregnant women are advised to avoid the use of oral salicylic acid during pregnancy. Expecting and nursing mothers should talk to their physician even before using the topical form of this product. This is because, some individuals have been found to be hypersensitive to this organic acid, for which a very small amount of the compound can also produce the adverse side effects. Usually, the concentration of salicylic acid in topical preparations do not exceed 2%, which is the limit established by FDA.

To sum up, topical salicylic acid should be used with adequate precaution, and only under the supervision of a physician, while the oral form of this product should be avoided during pregnancy. Otherwise, it may lead to some severe complication both for the mother and the fetus. So, it is better to opt for natural acne cures and have a discussion with your physician regarding the use of salicylic acid and pregnancy.