salicylic acid thickens too quickly?

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peter - 10 Sep 2007 16:39 GMT

I'm using wart remover liquid by kroger. This liquid thickens when exposed
to air -- it helps keep the drug on the skin. However, after a few days of
use even the liquid inside the bottle has thickened to the point I can no
longer apply it.

The ingredients are salicylic acid 17%, flexible collodion containing
alcohol and ether.

Is there a way to dilute it? I tried adding rubbing alcohol to it but the
next day it turns into a gel (like jello)! I bought another bottle; it seems
to thicken even quicker than the first.

Or is there a different product with 17% salicylic acid that does not
thicken so fast?

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Eli C. Yoder, RPh. - 10 Sep 2007 22:17 GMT

Maybe you're not tightening the cap well enough. No doubt the ether is
evaporating, causing the collodion to thicken.

All of the OTC liquids are the same (17% sal acid). A couple of name
brands are Duofilm, Compound W ,etc.

> I'm using wart remover liquid by kroger. This liquid thickens when exposed
> to air -- it helps keep the drug on the skin. However, after a few days of
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> Or is there a different product with 17% salicylic acid that does not
> thicken so fast?

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HankG - 11 Sep 2007 21:58 GMT

By any chance, are you using 70% alcohol? It contains 30% water--no good.

As mentioned, you should use it & cap it as soon as possible, tightly. The
ether is responsible for dissolving the 'stickim' and will evaporate
rapidly.

You might try 91% alcohol (small quantity), but no guarentees.

HankG

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peter - 12 Sep 2007 06:16 GMT

> By any chance, are you using 70% alcohol? It contains 30% water--no good.
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> You might try 91% alcohol (small quantity), but no guarentees.

You are right, the rubbing alcohol I used is 70%. I see there are 99%
alcohol available on the web. Let me see if I can get those in a local
store.

Alternately, can I buy a bottle of ether somewhere and use that to dilute
the thing?

Now, when I use this wart remover, I cover the bottle with my thumb as soon
as I remove the applicator.

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HankG - 17 Sep 2007 01:30 GMT

> > By any chance, are you using 70% alcohol? It contains 30% water--no good.
> >
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> Now, when I use this wart remover, I cover the bottle with my thumb as soon
> as I remove the applicator.

If you go the ether route, add it very sparingly (as little as possible).
Also note: extreme fire hazard. Most pharmacies carry 91% (usually
isopropyl) alcohol. Not a big deal (8%).

HankG

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