Coal tar has been used for hundreds of years to treat psoriasis, an inflammatory skin condition that manifests itself as patches of red, scaly skin. Psoriasis is an extremely common skin condition, but unfortunately, for the millions of sufferers there is no cure as such. Effective management of psoriasis is the key to living with this chronic condition.

Coal tar is a thick, dark brown or black liquid, which is a by-product of carbonized coal. It is used in many topical treatments, including creams, lotions, pastes and shampoos, to treat psoriasis. Experts believe that the coal tar works by reducing inflammation, scaling, and decreasing the turnover of skin cells.

As with all psoriasis treatments, coal tar may work for one person but not for another. It is important to persevere with coal tar, as it can take up to 12 weeks to notice an improvement in the skin. It may be effective to combine coal tar with another type of treatment, such as ultraviolet B (UVB) light treatment or an oral immunosuppressant. Another common combination treatment is steroid cream during the day and coal tar cream at bedtime. Care should be taken when applying coal tar to the skin, as it can be very messy. Always wear old clothes when you have the coal tar on your skin, and put old bedding on your bed, as it can stain fabrics.

The most effective form of coal tar is crude coal tar, which normally comes in a concentration of 1 to 10%, in soft paraffin. This is less common nowadays due to the mess it makes and its strong, unpleasant smell. There are a wide range of branded creams and other forms of topical coal tar treatments, which are far more suitable for home use and have a more bearable smell. These tend to contain between 0.4% and 2% coal tar.

Your doctor or dermatologist may prescribe you a low-strength treatment and increase it to a stronger one if necessary. Always follow the professional’s directions for use. Do not use coal tar products on your face or in your flexures (skin creases such as the inside of the elbow, back of the knee and armpit). An alternative treatment will have to be used in these areas.

Avoid sun exposure if you are using a coal tar psoriasis treatment, as it may cause a reaction and lead to a rash. Do not use coal tar on psoriasis if you are in the first three months of pregnancy, have very broken, inflamed or infected skin, or have pustular psoriasis (blisters or fluid-filled pustules on top of the regular psoriatic lesions).

Psoriasis can be an extremely distressing, frustrating condition, particularly when it appears to be resistant to many types of treatment. Most patients find that managing the condition is the key to living with it. Keep your skin moisturized at all times, and try to avoid stress. Some people find that alcohol and certain foods are a trigger for their psoriasis, although there is little scientific evidence of this.