Tar Treatment

Uses

Tar treatment involves using substances extracted from coal and diluted to treat certain skin conditions.

Tar is extracted from coal, converted into a solution form, and combined with other ingredients like salicylic acid and sulphur, to make lotions, creams, ointments and shampoos to help treat the scaling, itching and inflammation of psoriasis, eczema, and other skin disorders like Atopic dermatitis.

Dosing

Tar can be purchased over the counter, and comes under several brand names, including Denorex, Balnetar, Psoriasin, Tegrin, T-Gel, and Neutar in many forms, including lotions, creams, ointments and shampoos. Each type of tar treatment comes with its own application instructions. Carefully follow them. In general, it's best to apply at nighttime because of the smell associated with tar treatment. Generally, it should be left on for around two hours. You can cover or wrap in bandages to help the tar treatment stay in place and prevent staining.

Side Effects

Tar treatment may have mild side effects. It may cause stinging or mild irritation while your body gets used to the treatment. If used on hair, it may cause discoloration. It may also stain skin or clothing. The stain on your skin will wear off after treatment.

Notes of Precaution

Avoid direct sunlight on treated areas, as tar treatment may cause the skin to become sensitive to sunlight.

* Because of the carcinogenic qualities of coal, tar treatment may increase the risk for skin cancer.