Trichloroacetic acid

[kriswillems]

Does anyone know where I can buy 50% TCA for plantar wart treatment?

(Or 100% is also ok, I can mix it with water - don't worry I'll be careful not to burn myself).

I can find some places to order it on the internet, but I prefer to get it from a pharmacy.

I've tried salycylic acid, it didn't help for all warts (although the combination of salycyclic acid and duct tape was the most successful of everything I've tried).

So, I want to try something stronger.

I have been to the hospital, have seen 3 doctors (1 general doctor in Europe and 2 specialists in Thailand).

The warts have been burned out / electrocuted, frozen with liquid nitrogen and cut out.Nothing helped.

Aldara is too expensive for us (taken into account the limited success rate).

[Sheryl]

You won't find it at an pharmacy.

You might -- might-- find it a store selling chemicals but no guarantee. There is one near Democracy Monument.

[kriswillems]

Thank you Sheryl. I'll give it a try next time I go to BKK.

TCA is used in Thailand to burn out freckles or to remove very small scars.

Personally I think it's a very drastic way to treat something innocent like that. It's really an aggressive acid - but hey, beauty first

It's also used for face peelings (in much lower concentrations).

I wonder where all these skin clinics in Thailand get it.

In Europe they sell applicators with TCA for treating warts under the brand name wartner.

I went to several pharmacies - they don't know what it is - doctors also don't seem to know it.

[Sheryl]

In the US you can buy it without prescription, including online -- but not to ship to Thailand.

It is very rare for beauty clinics in Thailand to do chemical peels as Thai skin doesn't respond well to them, in fact the reason I know about buying TCA is that I did so in the US for the purpose of at home peels as I had so much trouble finding a place in Thailand that did them....

[kriswillems]

In the US you can buy it without prescription, including online -- but not to ship to Thailand.

It is very rare for beauty clinics in Thailand to do chemical peels as Thai skin doesn't respond well to them, in fact the reason I know about buying TCA is that I did so in the US for the purpose of at home peels as I had so much trouble finding a place in Thailand that did them....

Ok, thanks Sheryl.

So, I also know where not to look.

I guess I could try to order it on the internet:

http://www.phew-d.com/store/product/TCA_50_percent_100_percent_จี้กระ_ไฝ_ขี้แมลงวัน_สิว_หลุมสิว-1333271-th.html

And start with a very small spot to be sure it does what I would expect.

It's rather expensive for such a very basic chemical.

PS. They sell TCA 10% for peeling here :

http://ac-beauty.ibuy.co.th/283635/TCA+10+ผลัดเชลล์ผิว+/

(very expensive if you ask me).

[cypher01]

Hi Kris.

Just wanted to know if you had any luck buy TCA here? If so do you have any tips on where to look

Cheers

[arjunadawn]

Note on use. Have sodium bicarb handy in powder or crushed. Mix with water into light paste and later apply with a cotton ball when required. After TCA application neutralize the TCA at the correct time by using this rinse before flushing with copious water. I found this to be the very best process. If using for plantar or other wart understand that its unlikely a single application will work. In fact, many may not work depending on geography and type. Remember, 50% is fairly strong and may burn long before your realize it is.

(Thai wife is also MD and says 50% TCA cannot be purchased in Thailand without prescription. Her comment was "just go hospital and use liquid nitrogen. TCA is not as effective as people think for warts." She is dermatologist).