Drugs that cause softening and swelling of the cells at the surface of the skin, so that the outer layer of
the skin peels off or can easily be removed. Keratolytics are used to remove thickened and horny patches of
skin or scaly areas produced by eczema or psoriasis. They are also used in the treatment of acne, warts,
and corns, Keratolytics include salicylic acid, benzoic acid, benzoyl peroxide, coal tar, tar, resorcinol,
and sulphur. Caustics are drugs that are applied to the skin to destroy tissue. Used for treating warts and
corns, they include silver nitrate, podophyllum, podophyllotoxin, formaldehyde, and glutaraldehyde.
