ABSTRACT
La Sanguinaria canadensis, o Bloodroot, es una planta originaria de Norteamérica que contiene sustancias alcaloides y es ampliamente empleada en el tratamiento de lesiones y tumores de la piel en animales. Sin embargo, en los últimos años ha aumentado su uso en humanos como terapia alternativa en el tratamiento de lesiones precancerosas y cáncer de piel. Su uso inadecuado en humanos puede causar lesiones graves y profundas en la piel.Presentamos el caso de un paciente joven que por voluntad propia se aplicó un preparado de Sanguinaria canadensis (Bloodroot paste®) para eliminar dos nevus cutáneos, produciéndole lesiones extensas que requirieron tratamiento y curas hasta su cierre por segunda intención, dejando cicatrices hipertróficas como secuela.(AU)
Sanguinaria canadensis, or Bloodroot, is a plant native to North America, which contains alkaloid substances. It is widely used in the treatment of skin lesions and tumours in animals. However, over the past few years its use in humans has increased as an alternative therapy treatment for precancerous lesions and skin cancer. Its inappropriate use in humans can cause severe and deep skin wounds.We report the case of a young patient who willingly applied an extract of Sanguinaria canadensis (Bloodroot paste) to remove two cutaneous nevi. This led to extensive wounds that required treatment and cures until they closed by second intention healing. Hypertrophic scars were left as sequelae.(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Young Adult , Burns, Chemical/diagnosis , Burns, Chemical/drug therapy , Sanguinaria , Sanguinaria/adverse effects , Skin Ulcer/diagnosis , Skin Ulcer/drug therapy , Wounds, Penetrating , Nevus , Treatment Outcome , Inpatients , Physical Examination , Symptom Assessment , Family PracticeSubject(s)
Carcinoma, Basal Cell/drug therapy , Sanguinaria/adverse effects , Self Medication/methods , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome/pathology , Chlorides/administration & dosage , Chlorides/therapeutic use , Cicatrix/pathology , Cicatrix/psychology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Ointments/administration & dosage , Ointments/therapeutic use , Treatment Outcome , Zinc Compounds/administration & dosage , Zinc Compounds/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Due to extensive advertising of black salve's effectiveness in "curing" skin cancers and healing other skin conditions, many patients are turning to self-treating with black salve. Although black salve has not been proven to have anticancer properties, application of black salve has been shown to cause damage to healthy tissue and the need for further treatment. We describe a 35-year-old woman whose one-time application of black salve to a healing biopsy site resulted in skin erosion and formation of a dermatitic plaque with subsequent scarring. Dermatologists and other health professionals need to be aware of this increasingly popular product to be able to better inform and treat their patients.
Subject(s)
Complementary Therapies/adverse effects , Sanguinaria/adverse effects , Skin Diseases/drug therapy , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Skin/drug effects , Skin/pathologyABSTRACT
Black salve is a compound derived from various inert ingredients, but it can be transformed into a corrosive ointment by the addition of bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) or zinc chloride. Black salve products have been advertised as a natural remedy for many ailments, ranging from bee stings to skin cancer. This article reviews the current literature surrounding this compound, which in its corrosive form can be dangerous for use without medical supervision. Patients should be educated about the lack of objective evidence supporting the clinical efficacy of black salve as a skin cancer treatment, as well as the possible cosmetic defects resulting from tissue necrosis secondary to the effects of bloodroot and zinc chloride.
