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Coal Tar – A Traditional, Effective Psoriasis Treatment

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

Coal tar has been used as an effective treatment for psoriasis for over a century. It is a by-product of carbonized coal.

Coal is carbonized when it is processed and distilled for use as coke or coal gas. Though many of its components have not been identified, it seems to slow the growth of skin cells. This improves the skin’s appearance by reducing the inflammation and scaling characteristics of the psoriasis. Coal tar is found in many products developed for skin conditions, from shampoos to creams and bath gels. It is also used in combination with phototherapy to improve the condition of the skin.

The side effects of coal tar are few and for most, insignificant. It can irritate the skin, causing it to redden and dry the skin. These symptoms can usually be reduced by using moisturizer. Tar makes the skin photosensitive, which makes it more prone to burning than usual. Liberal use of sunscreen is recommended after phototherapy used in conjunction with the application of an ointment or cream containing tar.

Many people discard the possibility of using coal tar products, as they can stain the skin and clothing.  They also have a very strong accompanying odor and, when applied to the scalp, may temporarily discolor one’s hair.

Despite the messiness and odor, many psoriasis patients prefer products with coal tar over other remedies that contain steroids. The side effects for steroids are numerous and vary from patient to patient. There are some concerns about the safety of products that use tar. The FDA and the National Psoriasis Foundation have deemed it a safe, effective and inexpensive treatment for a variety of skin conditions. The concentration is between 0.5% and 5% and they carry warning labels that meet California’s Prop 65 requirements.

This puts them in the category labeled as No Significant Risk Levels. Solar radiation, alcoholic beverages and tobacco products are similarly labeled. Formulas that utilize more than 5% are categorized as Group1 carcinogens and cannot be purchased over the counter. Despite 75 years of documented safe use, there is some controversy over its possible carcinogenic affects and the use of tar in some consumer products, such as cosmetics, is banned in several European countries As a result, many products that used to contain coal tar have been modified, replacing the tar with salicylic acid.  Many, however, feel that salicylic acid is not as effective.

Neutrogena’s T/Gel is a common over-the-counter coal tar shampoo that I use on a regular basis — my scalp would not be able to survive without it.

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What Is Salicylic Acid?

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Salicylic acid, which comes from the willow tree, is a beta hydroxy acid. It can be used in topical treatments to soothe joint and muscle pain. It is also used in ointments, creams and gels to improve a variety of skin conditions that include acne, psoriasis, calluses and warts.

Salicylic acid helps open pores, shed dead skin cells and neutralizes bacteria.  As a result of this exfoliating effect, new skin cells are allowed to grow back unhindered.

Salicylic acid or coal tar are the main active ingredients of many over the counter topical psoriasis medications.  Both ingredients are common in several shampoos developed to treat dandruff as well as scalp psoriasis.

Salicylic acid by itself is not a direct treatment for psoriasis, but it is used to help other medications reach the live, younger skin that is inflamed, below the surface by dissolving the dead skin or psoriasis plaque build up on the surface.  Thus, salicylic acid can be used to complement other topical treatments designed to treat mild to moderate psoriasis symptoms.

Salicylic acid can also be applied as a preparation for UV light therapy for moderate to severe cases. If lesions associated with psoriasis become infected by various types of growths this ingredient is also used as an antiseptic and disinfectant. Concentration levels vary by use.

The percentage of concentration in over the counter products for psoriasis is usually about three percent.  In excessive concentrations it can irritate the skin.  The fact that wart removers may contain up to 17% salicylic acid gives you an idea of how potent salicylic acid can be.

In some cases salicylic acid can actually increase, rather than decreases skin inflammation (though nothing like this has ever happened to me).

Products that combine this ingredient with sulphur are not approved for the treatment of psoriasis. The FDA considers this an effective treatment for dandruff only. Moisturizers containing this ingredient should be applied immediately after bathing for best results.

Note: Using moisturizers throughout the day can control psoriasis symptoms between treatments. Though the FDA has deemed salicylic acid safe, there are some safety considerations to keep in mind. Use sparingly, for brief periods on young children as they are more likely to develop skin irritations. Read the instructions for use carefully. Do not exceed the recommended dosages when referring to concentration and length of treatment. This could result in adverse side effects that include severe skin irritation and poisoning. The treatments containing this ingredient are meant for topical use only. Using in or near the mouth, nose or eyes could result in over absorption by the skin.

Neutrogena’s T/Sal is a common over-the counter salicylic acid shampoo, which I use on a regular basis with very good results.

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Expensive Psoriasis Shampoos Vs. Holistic Treatments

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

psoriasis shampoos

You don’t have to be a math whiz to figure out that medicated psoriasis shampoos are a lot more expensive than standard shampoos.  Whereas basic shampoo brands such as Suave can go for about 99 cents for a bottle, you would be lucky to find any kind of psoriasis shampoo for five bucks (or less).  Occasionally my local grocery store, Fry’s, puts T/Gel on sale for about 5 dollars a bottle, but I have come to expect about 6 dollars a pop.  As you can see in the picture above, such pricing leads me to leave the shampoo bottles upside down until I can squeeze every last drop out of them.

Included in the picture above:

  • T/Gel — Extra Strength (4% Neutar) and Stubborn Itch Control (2% Neutar as well as menthol)
  • T/Sal — Active ingredient: Salicylic acid.
  • Selsun Blue, with menthol and 1% selenium sulfide, which is a common dandruff medication

Cost is a major factor that must, by necessity, be calculated into one’s daily psoriasis-battling regimen.  If insurance doesn’t cover a certain medication, if copays add up to too much or if you don’t have any insurance at all then, short of taking up a life of crime, you will have to seek out other options to treat your psoriasis.  It is because of such resource limitations that holistic treatments (changing your entire lifestyle to treat psoriasis) are sometime necessary.  This can be a good thing much of the time since treating psoriasis generally involves becoming more healthy all-around.

In addition to being more affordable, holistic, herbal and generally more natural treatments can be more effective in the long run for treating your psoriasis.  If your body is equipped from the inside-out to fight off this condition, then additional brute-force drugs such as steroids or immunosuppressants will become unnecessary.

This is similar to the effect that drinking less caffeine has on my ability to concentrate and work effectively.  It’s nice to get that jolt of energy, but there is inevitably a let-down afterward, during which work seems even more difficult than before.  During the let-down phase I feel compelled to drink more caffeine, thus increasing my dependence on this drug.  But, when I opt for sleeping enough and drinking more water, my brain works better over longer periods of time.

The theory behind holistic psoriasis medications is similar to the principal of sleeping more rather than drinking caffeine.

Modern medicine is adapting to the fact that the body is, much of the time, better equipped to deal with biological issues than any man-made drug.  This points to the general fact that you, if you are suffering from psoriasis, should use shampoos such as those listed above but, at the same time, keep exercising, eating right and maintain a healthy state of mind to the best of your ability.

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Effective Psoriasis Treatments: Keratolytics

Monday, October 19th, 2009

Keratolytics are topical treatments that soften skin and remove dead skin or scales.  The word “keratolytics” is derived from the word “keratin,” which is a major component of the skin as well as durable tissues such as hair or nails.  A common keratolytic used for psoriasis is salicylic acid, which is present in Neutrogena’s T/Sal shampoo.

Keratolytics can be used to complement other psoriatic medications.  For example, after salicylic acid clears off dead skin from the epidermis, then another treatment such as a coal tar or a topical retinoid will be able to access treatable skin more easily.

Other keratolytics include:

  • Urea - The active ingredient for Nair (a common hair removal product).  Urea can irritate the skin, cause additional itchiness and can be toxic if applied too liberally.
  • Propylene glycol - A moisturizer and solvent, used in everything from anti-freeze to massage oils.  There are opposing views as to whether prolonged exposure to propylene glycol causes bodily harm.
  • Sulfur - An ingredient found in dandruff, acne and seborrheic dermatitis treatments.  Sulfur solutions can be administered in combination with a long list of other chemicals and treatments to treat psoriasis.
  • Resorcinol - Used for both psoriasis and acne to soften and/or loosen up hardened skin.  Resorcinol can be used as an anti-itching agent as well as an antiseptic.
  • Cade oil - Can be mixed with salicylic acid and other antifungal elements to make effective keratolytics / anti-dandruff medications.

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