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. 2023 Jan;16(1):14–17.

TABLE 1.

Descriptive Characteristics of Skin Injuries Associated with Over-the-Counter Topical Mole and Skin Tag Removers (N=38)

INGREDIENT(S) # OF CASES DATA SOURCE(S) YEAR REASON(S) FOR USE* ADVERSE EVENT(S)* DURATION OF USE AMOUNT USED TIME TO ONSET TREATMENT(S) REPORTED*
Salicylic acid

  • 25% (17)

  • 11.25% (1)

 18 Amazon (14)
FDA (4)		 2021 (13)
2020 (3)
2018 (1)
2016 (1)		 Unspecified (8)
Skin tag (5)
Mole (5)
Anal skin tag (1)		 Burn (13)
Pain/discomfort (8)
Ulcer (6)
Scar (6)
Infection/cellulitis (2)
Facial injury (9)		 NR (10)
Single use (5)
<2 weeks (3)		 NR (11)
As directed (5)**
“Little dab” (1)
“More than recommended” (1)		 NR (11)
Immediate (3)
<24 hours (3)
2-3 days (1)		 NR (12)
Sought medical care (6)

  • ABX [oral and or IV] (3)

  • Wound care (2)

  • Hospitalization (1)

  • Derm advised skin graft (1)
S. canadensis 6 Amazon (6) 2021 (6) Unspecified (4)
Skin tag (2)		 Burn (6)
Scar (2)
Pain/discomfort (1)
Ulcer (1)
Facial injury (0)		 NR (6) NR (5)
Applied “very lightly” (1)		 NR (6) NR (4)
Sought medical care (2)

  • Wound care at hospital (1)

  • Unspecified (1)
Unspecified 7 Amazon (6)
FDA (1)		 2021 (7) Skin tag (4)
Unspecified (3)
Mole (1)		 Burn (7)
Ulcer (5)
Pain/discomfort (3)
Scar (3)
Facial injury (3)		 NR (5)
Single use (2)		 NR (4)
As directed (3)		 NR (5)
Immediate (2)		 NR (6)
Sought medical care, unspecified (1)
Calcium oxide 2 FDA (2) 2012 (2) Mole (2) Scar (2)
Burn (1)
Infection (1)
Swelling (1)
Ulcer (1)
Facial injury (1)		 NR (2) As directed (2) NR (1)
<24 hours (1)		 Sought medical care (2)

  • Hospitalization (1)

  • Unspecified (1)
Multiple botanicals (includes homeopathic ingredients) 5 Amazon (4) FDA (1) 2021 (2)
2020 (2)
2019 (1)		 Mole (4)
Skin tag (1)		 Burn (3)
Dermatitis/rash (2)
Scar (2)
Infection (1)
Pain/discomfort (1)
Swelling (1)
Facial injury (1)		 NR (4)
BID for 2 to 3 days (1)		 NR (4)
Spilled unknown amount on skin (1)		 NR (3)
2-3 days (1)
1 week (1)		 NR (3)
Sought medical care (1)

  • ABX (1)

Hydrocortisone self-treatment (1)
Total 38 Amazon (30) FDA (8) 2021 (28)
2020 (5)
2019 (1)
2018 (1)
2016 (1)
2012 (2)		 Unspecified (15)
Mole (12)
Skin tag (12)
Anal skin tag (1)		 Burn (30)
Scar (15)
Pain/discomfort (13)
Ulcer (13)
Infection/cellulitis (4)
Dermatitis/rash (2)
Swelling (2)
Facial injury (14)		 NR (27)
Single use (7)
<2 weeks (4)		 NR (24)
As directed (10)
“Little dab” or “very lightly” (2)
“More than recommended” (1)
Spilled unknown amount on skin (1)		 NR (26)
Immediate (5)
<24 hours (4)
2– 3 days (2)
1 week (1)		 NR (25)
Sought medical care (12)

  • ABX (4)

  • Hospitalization/hospital care (3)

  • Wound care (3)

  • Not specified (5)

  • Derm advised skin graft (1)

Hydrocortisone self-treatment (1)

ABX: antibiotics; FDA: FDA database (FAERS or CAERS); NR: not reported

*Some cases described more than one reason for use, adverse event, and/or treatment.

**Two individuals specified that they applied the product with a toothpick.