Establishing the efficacy and safety of the novel use of common salt for the treatment of pyogenic granuloma

Abstract

Summary Background Recurrent bleeding episodes are often a cause of significant anxiety in patients with pyogenic granuloma (PG). The idea of using common salt for the treatment of PG arose from the need for a relatively safe and effective treatment because of the recurrent nature of the lesion. Methods A prospective open‐label uncontrolled study of 50 patients was conducted. All cases were treated with ordinary table salt from a commercially available package. White soft paraffin was first applied over the perilesional skin, then sufficient salt to cover the entire lesion was applied and the area was occluded with surgical adhesive tape. All patients were followed up for any complications or recurrence. Results Complete resolution of the lesion without any residual scar was seen in 100% of the cases, and 94% reported a decrease in the bleeding tendency of the lesion as an immediate response. The mean time to complete resolution was 14.77 days. Recurrence was noted in one patient after 11 months of resolution. Conclusion Owing to the relative ease in application, lack of scarring and excellent response, we consider salt application to be an ideal treatment for PG lesions, especially in children and anxious patients reluctant to undergo any procedure.

Complete Resolution of a Refractory Pyogenic Granuloma Following Topical Salt Treatment

“…Among the non-surgical treatment options, liquid nitrogen is used most often and has the lowest overall recurrence rate, followed by carbon dioxide laser ablation and flashlamp pulsed dye laser therapy. 4,5 Salt has been recently described as a treatment for PG. Daruwalla et al reported a case in which a pinch of salt was applied to a lesion, soft white paraffin was applied at the lesion margins to prevent perilesional skin irritation, and the lesion was covered with a surgical adhesive tape.…”

“…A total of 95% of the patients stated that they would repeat salt therapy for any recurrences of PG, and the remaining 5% of patients stated that they would prefer a treatment that provided faster results. 4 Salt application to PG creates a hyperosmolar tissue environment that leads to lesion shrinkage due to a desiccant effect. 2,3 Salt has also been used to treat umbilical granulomas with an efficacy comparable to that achieved with silver nitrate, copper sulfate, and surgery.…”

“…Patients whose lesions did not respond well to salt treatment were misdiagnosed or achieved partial responses that were fully resolved when salt treatment was extended. 4,6,7 Although PGs occur in patients of any age, they are more prevalent in children, adolescents, and pregnant women. The mean age of onset among children is 6.7 years.…”

“…Salt application is an excellent treatment for PG, based on the sites of lesion development, young patient age, absence of scarring, and frequency of complete lesion resolution. 4 Apart from a mild reversible stinging sensation during application, salt treatment has no complications; therefore, it can be used in children, in patients unwilling to undergo surgical excision, at sites where cauterization is difficult, or on large lesions that require reduction prior to excision. 2,3,6,7…”

Case report: Pyogenic granuloma—just salt, a simple and pain‐free treatment

“…[1][2][3][4] It affects all ages but is more often in children and young people. 4,5 Although its nature is benign, it is characterized by fast growth and recurrent bleeding periods. 5 Most of the time, it appears as a unique pediculated lesion but multiples tumors also are detected.…”