The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to use certain creams or salves, commonly known as black salve, being sold on the internet. These products claim to safely treat or cure cancer, boils, moles, and skin tags (non-cancerous growths of skin). However, these claims are false. Black salve will destroy the skin, which can result in permanent damage, cause the skin and tissue in the area to die, and may lead to infection.
Black salve products are sold under various names, including Skinprov, drawing salve, red salve, Cansema, bloodroot, Indian Herb, Hawk Dok Natural Salve, Black Drawing Ointment, and many others. They all contain corrosive ingredients that destroy living tissue, like skin. These ingredients include sanguinarine, Sanguinaria canadensis, bloodroot, and zinc chloride, which may be listed as an active or inactive ingredient. When applied to the skin, the person will often feel pain and burning, and a scar will form.
FDA is aware of 24 cases in which consumers experienced bad side effects from the use of black salve. Fifteen of these cases were reported in the past 5 years. Most cases involved permanent damage and cancer progression. One case resulted in death when the person chose to use the black salve instead of getting a proven cancer treatment.
Here’s what you can do: Talk to your doctor or see a dermatologist (skin doctor) if you have any skin problems. Tell your doctor about any products you are using to treat the skin problem. Read the product label and look for any active or inactive ingredients that are considered corrosive, such as those in black salve products, and do not purchase or use them. If a product sold on the internet (or in a store) claims to cure a disease, especially cancer, there is likely no evidence to prove this and it is probably not true.
Published February 1, 2021
