New Zealand's medicines watchdog has warned against the use of black salve - a product promoted for treatment of skin problems - after a person suffered a severe necrotic lesion from using it.
Medsafe said black salve and related products worked by "burning away" and destroying the skin. After its use, a thick black scab formed on healthy and potentially diseased skin.
There was no scientific evidence the products were effective in treating disease conditions and they were not regulated in New Zealand, Medsafe said.
Black salve and related products have also been promoted for treatment of skin cancer.
