title: Self-treatment of a basal cell carcinoma with "black and yellow salve".
abstract: Patients may seek "alternative" or "non-traditional" therapies for dermatologic problems, frequently in search of a miraculous cure. However, many of these medicaments contain unknown compounds with questionable benefit and a potential for significant harm. We describe a patient who developed a large ulceration on her nose after applying "black and yellow salves" obtained from Mexico in an attempt to self-treat a basal cell carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234, USA.
authors.forename: Sandra S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Osswald
authors.forename: Dirk M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Elston
authors.forename: Mary F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Farley
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Alberti
authors.forename: Steven C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Cordero
authors.forename: Victor F
authors.initials: VF
authors.lastname: Kalasinsky
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009824:Ointments; D012651:Self Medication / Q000009:adverse effects; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D009824:Ointments