Phenol can be used as a secondary treatment for psoriasis — it remove scales so that other topical psoriasis treatments can access affected areas more directly.  Other kinds of keratolytics (chemicals that remove dead skin) include salicylic acid, urea and lactic acid are used for a similar purpose.

Other medical uses of Phenol include disinfecting and preserving dead bodies.  Prolonged exposure to phenol can cause skin irritation, or with higher concentrations, chemical burns.   It is also suspected to be a cancer-causing if exposure is concentrated and spread out over a long period of time.