Patient leaflet - PICKLES OINTMENT
What is in this leaflet
-
1. What Pickles Ointment is and what it is used for
-
2. What you need to know before you use Pickles Ointment
-
3. How to use Pickles Ointment
-
4. Possible side effects
-
5. How to store Pickles Ointment
-
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. what pickles ointment is and what it is used for
Pickles Ointment contains the active substance salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is part of a group of medicines called antifungals.
Pickles Ointment is used to treat corns and hard skin in adults and children. Salicylic acid acts by softening the hard skin for it to be removed more easily.
2. what you need to know before you use pickles ointment
Do not use Pickles Ointment:
- if you are allergic to salicylic acid or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
- on or near the face, neck, areas where two skin areas may touch or rub together or the anal or genital region.
- if you have diabetes, a severe blood disorder or problems with your nerves in your hands or feet unless recommended by your doctor.
- if the callus or corn is infected or the surrounding skin is inflamed or broken.
- on broken skin, moles, birthmarks, warts with hair growing out of them, red edges or an unusual colour or any other skin lesions.
3. how to use pickles ointment
Always use this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Adults and children
Hard Skin: Apply a little ointment to the hard skin for 4 nights then bathe the area and allow the hard skin to peel.
Corns: Fix a corn ring over the corn and apply a little ointment through the hole directly onto it. Leave in place for 3 days then bathe the area. Repeat the treatment if the corn persists.
Wash hands after use.
If you use more Pickles Ointment than you should
If you use more Pickles Ointment than you should you may experience symptoms of salicylate poisoning. These symptoms include dizziness, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), deafness, sweating, feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting), headache and confusion. If you experience these symptoms, contact your nearest hospital casualty department or tell your doctor immediately.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
The most common side effects are:
Skin irritation which may appear as a temporary blemish on the skin Skin ulceration
Skin erosion.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. how to store pickles ointment
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and tin.
The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not store this medicine above 25°C.
Do not refrigerate or freeze this medicine. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. contents of the pack and other information
What Pickles Ointment contains
The active substance is salicylic acid. Each dose contains 50% salicylic acid. The other ingredient is yellow petroleum jelly.
What Pickles Ointment looks like and contents of the pack
Pickles Ointment is supplied in slip lid tins containing 12g or 28g keratolytic ointment.
Marketing Authorisation Holder Optima Consumer Health Limited 27 Victoria Mews, Cottingley Bingley, BD16 1PY, UK
Manufacturer
Thorpe Laboratories Ltd Mablethorpe, LN12 1NB, UK
This leaflet was last revised in June 2019.
00357LF/0619