1 May 2026Drugs for external use and antiseptics

Whitfield's Ointment: Use and Precautions

Whitfield's ointment guidance for localized dermatophyte infections and as adjunctive care for more extensive lesions.

Also searched as

Whitfield's ointmentBenzoic acid salicylic acid ointment

Source reviewed

source date listed on the source page

Guide category

Drugs for external use and antiseptics

Safety boundary

Educational medicine information, not personal medical advice.

Kenza Health Hub presents this medicine page as structured health education. Check dose, route, interactions, pregnancy or breast-feeding considerations, and local protocol with a qualified clinician or pharmacist. Read our medical editorial policy.

This guide page is for structured reference only and does not replace a clinician, pharmacist, or emergency review. Dose choice, route choice, interactions, and safety decisions still need professional judgment.

Therapeutic action

Fungistatic and keratolytic agent.

Indications

Dermatophyte infection of the scalp (tinea capitis), in combination with a systemic antifungal.
Dermatophyte infection of the glabrous skin and skin folds, alone if lesions are localized and non-extensive.
Dermatophyte infection of the glabrous skin and skin folds, in combination with a systemic antifungal if lesions are extensive.

Forms and strengths

Benzoic acid 6% plus salicylic acid 3% ointment, tube or jar.

Dose

Child and adult: one application 2 times daily, in a thin layer, to clean and dry skin.

Duration

3 to 6 weeks, depending on clinical response.

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

Do not apply to exudative lesions, mucous membranes, or eyes.
May cause skin irritation and local benign inflammation.
In case of secondary bacterial infection, start appropriate local or systemic treatment before applying Whitfield's ointment.
In case of contact with eyes or mucous membranes, flush immediately with plenty of water.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: no contra-indication.
Whitfield's ointment is not included in the WHO list of essential medicines.
Once the ointment has been exposed to a high temperature, the active ingredients are no longer evenly distributed: the ointment must be homogenized before use.

Source

MSF Essential drugs practical guidelines (January 2026)

This page combines source-derived medicine reference sections with Kenza editorial context, while leaving out the Storage and Remarks sections from the source batch.

Rate this guide

Be the first to rate this guide.