Topical Aspirin Question

[LukeL]

This may be a stupid question but can topical aspirin still cause stomach bleeding? I have been applying more aspirin lately on my scalp and I have had severe stomach pain correlated to when I made the switch...

 

[DaveFoster]

Yes.

Aspirin can cause stomach damage by direct contact with the membrane (due to a lack of alkalinization of the solution.) Topical application or neutralization with baking soda, and also probably co-administration with glycine avoids this effect.

It can also cause stomach damage by inhibiting COX-1, which decreases mucosal cell turnover. This affect attenuates with time, and the mucosa becomes increasingly resistant to irritants. H. pylori can make this adaptation difficult for many people. Lastly, vitamin K2 plays a role in regulating bleeding, as aspirin depletes K2 and glycine.