Health Boards
Thu-04-03-2021, 21:43 PM
Effectiveness: Coal tar can be very effective. Some people see complete clearing with coal tar and long remissions (time without psoriasis).
Many patients who have difficult-to-treat psoriasis on their palms and soles (palmoplantar psoriasis) see clearing when they use coal tar along with a corticosteroid that they apply to their psoriasis.
Dermatologists also include coal tar in a treatment plan for patients who have scalp psoriasis. Coal tar can clear scalp psoriasis and increase remissions on the scalp.
How well coal-tar products work varies. You cannot always tell which product will work best by looking at how much coal tar the product contains. In one study, patients using a lotion containing 1% coal tar had better results than the patients using a product that contained 5% coal tar extract. Other studies have found similar results. For this reason, it’s best to ask your dermatologist for a product recommendation.
Many patients who have difficult-to-treat psoriasis on their palms and soles (palmoplantar psoriasis) see clearing when they use coal tar along with a corticosteroid that they apply to their psoriasis.
Dermatologists also include coal tar in a treatment plan for patients who have scalp psoriasis. Coal tar can clear scalp psoriasis and increase remissions on the scalp.
How well coal-tar products work varies. You cannot always tell which product will work best by looking at how much coal tar the product contains. In one study, patients using a lotion containing 1% coal tar had better results than the patients using a product that contained 5% coal tar extract. Other studies have found similar results. For this reason, it’s best to ask your dermatologist for a product recommendation.