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Bloodroot associated eschar.

Megan J Schlichte¹, Christopher P Downing, Marigdalia Ramirez-Fort

¹Baylor College of Medicine.

Dermatology Online Journal

|July 22, 2014

Summary

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A popular "natural" blemish cream containing Sanguinaria canadensis caused a severe neck eschar in a patient. Dermatologists should caution patients about unproven herbal skin cancer remedies.

Area of Science:

Dermatology
Integrative Medicine
Phytochemistry

Background:

The increasing popularity of natural remedies for skin conditions, including skin cancer, necessitates an understanding of their efficacy and potential risks.
Sanguinaria canadensis (bloodroot) is a plant-derived compound marketed in topical preparations for various skin lesions.
Escharotics are substances that cause tissue destruction, leading to the formation of an eschar (scab).

Observation:

A 60-year-old woman developed a large neck eschar after applying a blemish cream containing Sanguinaria canadensis.
The patient sought treatment for the resulting skin damage, which led to scarring despite topical corticosteroid therapy.

Findings:

The blemish cream's active ingredient, Sanguinaria canadensis, acted as an escharotic, causing significant tissue damage.

Related Experiment Videos

The patient's condition highlights the potential dangers of using unverified natural remedies for dermatological conditions, including suspected skin cancers.

Implications:

Dermatologists must be aware of and educate patients about the risks associated with popular 'natural' skin cancer treatments.
Conventional dermatological treatments for skin cancer, such as surgical excision and Mohs surgery, remain the most effective and safest options.
Emphasizing evidence-based medicine is crucial to prevent adverse outcomes from self-treated skin conditions.