Caustic pencil
Caustic Pencil
Caustic pencil (pronunciation: /ˈkɔːstɪk ˈpɛnsəl/), also known as a silver nitrate stick, is a device used in medical practice mainly for the treatment of small skin lesions such as warts and corns.
Etymology
The term "caustic" is derived from the Greek word "kaustikos", which means "capable of burning". The term "pencil" in this context is used to describe the shape and form of the device, which resembles a writing pencil.
Usage
A caustic pencil is used by moistening the tip and applying it to the skin lesion. The silver nitrate in the pencil reacts with the skin to form silver proteins, which have a local cauterizing effect. This helps to remove the lesion and promote healing.
Related Terms
- Silver Nitrate: A chemical compound used in caustic pencils for its cauterizing effect.
- Warts: Small, benign growths on the skin that caustic pencils are often used to treat.
- Corns: Hardened areas of skin, often on the feet, that can be treated with a caustic pencil.
- Cauterization: The process of burning a part of the body to remove or close off a part of it, which is the effect that caustic pencils have on skin lesions.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Caustic pencil
- Wikipedia's article - Caustic pencil
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