Coal Tar Solution

Below, I pasted information found that succinctly explained the mechanism of coal tar.  

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How does it work?

Coal tar solution contains coal tar as the active ingredient.

Coal tar has been used in skin conditions for hundreds of years, but it is still not fully understood how it works, mainly because it is made up of so many different compounds.

Coal tar has mild antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects, and relieves itching. It is also absorbed into the skin cells and is thought to inhibit DNA replication in these cells. This slows down cell division and stops the cells from multiplying excessively. In turn, this reduces the thickening and scaling of the skin and clears up psoriasis plaques.

Coal tar may also work by breaking down keratin, a protein that forms part of the skin structure. This helps the skin cells shed from the treated area, thus reducing the thickening and scaling of the psoriasis plaques.

Soaking in a bath of warm water to which this medicine has been added softens the psoriasis scales and helps the coal tar penetrate into the skin cells.

100ml of coal tar solution should be added to a standard bath of warm water. Soak in this water for five minutes then pat the skin dry.

What is it used for?

• Psoriasis.

Warning!

• This medicine is for external use only, diluted in bath water. Do not use the solution undiluted.
• Avoid contact with the eyes, mouth and inside of the nose. Rinse with cold water if accidental contact occurs.
• Do not use this product in your bath if you have broken, inflamed or infected areas of skin.
• If skin irritation or acne-like eruptions occur, stop using the medicine and consult your doctor.
• This medicine may stain skin, hair or fabric.
• Coal tar increases the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. You should avoid exposing the skin to direct sunlight after using this medicine.

Not to be used in

• Sore, inflamed psoriasis
• Variant of psoriasis where blisters or pustules containing fluid appear on the skin (pustular psoriasis)
• Severe psoriasis, with a rapid onset and short duration (acute psoriasis).

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

• This medicine is not expected to have any harmful effects when used during pregnancy. However, as with all medicines, it should only be used on the advice of a doctor, particularly during the first trimester.
• This medicine is not expected to have any harmful effects when used by breastfeeding mothers. However, as with all medicines, it should only be used on the advice of a doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• Skin irritation
• Acne-like eruptions
• Increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.

For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

This medicine is not known to affect other medicines.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient

Alphosyl 2 in 1 shampoo	Carbo-Dome cream	Clinitar cream
Clinitar shampoo	Coal tar paste	Exorex lotion
Pentrax shampoo	Psoriderm bath emulsion	T/Gel shampoo

Last updated 14.03.2007

Read more: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/skin-and-hair/medicines/coal-tar-solution.html#ixzz2Xc1Rl4mJ 
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