need coal tar
Question:
>…Coal tar is a known carcinogen and that combined with the sunlight >could increase the possibility of skin cancer, so you should minimize >your exposure.
Well, coal tar does not increase the risk of skin cancer by itself when used medicinally (occupational exposure is a different matter). Coal tar may increase the risk of skin cancer from the sun due to its photosensitizing properties, not due to its carcinogenic properties. >However, I have had dermatologists tell me to apply coal tar to lesions, >then get into the light box to increase the reaction to the light.
This is called Goeckerman’s regimen. The point to the coal tar is to actually *lower* the amount of UV light you have to be exposed to. – Dave W. http://members.aol.com/psorsite/
Response:
>…for some reason lately I seem to be quite susceptible to that skin >trauma syndrome (can’t remember the name–K-something).
Koebner phenomenon. :) >Actually, I’m thinking of trying the salicylic ointment on one spot all by >itself for a while and see how it compares with the coal tar. But a >colorless, odorless, non-steroidal ointment that actually feels good >going on sounds too good to be true!
Well, salicylic acid is useful in removing the scales, but don’t expect too much from it in treating the inflammation. At really high concentrations, salicylic acid is the main ingredient in wart removers (and I would recommend not even *thinking* of trying that <g>). See http://members.aol.com/psorsite/salacid.html – Dave W. http://members.aol.com/psorsite/
Response:
That was the impression I got–which is one reason I stopped using it in favor of the coal tar stuff as soon as the scales were gone. While we’re on the subject, how does one safely take some sun while using (even this relatively mild) coal tar? Should I wait 24 hours before and/or after? Does sunscreen block the helpful effects of moderate sunning? Regards, Susan
<snip> – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Well, salicylic acid is useful in removing the scales, but don’t expect > too much from it in treating the inflammation. At really high > concentrations, salicylic acid is the main ingredient in wart removers > (and I would recommend not even *thinking* of trying that <g>). > See http://members.aol.com/psorsite/salacid.html > – Dave W. > http://members.aol.com/psorsite/
Response:
>…While we’re on the subject, how does one safely take some sun >while using (even this relatively mild) coal tar? Should I wait 24 hours >before and/or after?
Tough question. I think it’s a matter of personal experience more than anything else. My tub of MG217 says it will increase tendency to sunburn up to 24 hours after application. While this isn’t a blanket warning to stay out of the sun, if I were someone who burned easily, I think I’d hide in a cave while using it. I would think it’s all a matter of playing things really safely. Given the time delay between the act of burning and when you really notice it, this is a really tough question indeed. I suppose a comparison of typical durations of straight UVB therapy and Goeckerman’s therapy might give a good starting point. If, for example, GT treatment times were typically half of plain UVB, I’d avoid staying in the sun longer than half the time it would normally take to burn me. But since GT and plain UVB only use one part of the UV spectrum, that’s probably just wishful thinking. I have no idea about how coal tar effects sensitivity to UVA or UVC. >Does sunscreen block the helpful effects of moderate sunning?
Another good question, especially in relation to coal tar, for which I have no good answer. From what I’ve read on this newsgroup and elsewhere, opinions differ greatly. About the only thing that’s common is that sunblock on non-psoriatic skin is necessary (as it would be for anyone else). The question of whether or not sunblock on a plaque hinders the beneficial effects of sun seems to be open. Anyone else? – Dave W. http://members.aol.com/psorsite/
Response:
>>…While we’re on the subject, how does one safely take some sun >while using (even this relatively mild) coal tar? Should I wait 24 hours >before and/or after?
There is no such thing as "safe" sunlight, but as long as you are careful, it probably won’t be a big factor. Coal tar is a known carcinogen and that combined with the sunlight could increase the possibility of skin cancer, so you should minimize your exposure. However, I have had dermatologists tell me to apply coal tar to lesions, then get into the light box to increase the reaction to the light. The important thing is to get the least amount of sunlight that will actually help the lesions, but not go overboard. Slight pinking up of the skin is ok, but too much is no good. And you should always be aware of what your normal skin looks like and report to the dermie if you see anything that looks abnormal, especially in a mole. >Does sunscreen block the helpful effects of moderate sunning?
I really don’t know… I suspect it might not be a bad idea to apply sunscreen to the normal areas of skin, leaving just the lesions to get more sunlight. But of course if you can get clearing without sunlight, that would be safer. Also don’t forget that you will indeed be getting sunlight even if you stay in the shade. Light is reflected all over the place, and you may even get a burn in the shade if your skin is sensitized by the tar. Best to start out with short exposures and not overdo it at all. Burns are always dangerous and are cummulative in their effects. Remember you want only to improve the psoriasis, not go out for a tan. :) Best regards,
Response:
The best commercial product is Estar.
Response:
>You ignore the scintific artilcles and many statistics that proves that >coal tar or / and UVB tanning DO NOT cause skin cancer, why do you >do it ??? You can read the whole articles in my site below. >Show me ONE article that proves what you claim.
Susan’s question, and Lady Andy’s response, were both about *sunlight*, not UVB. I cannot imagine that you have any reports that prove that the sun does not cause skin cancer. Coal tar is a known carcinogen to coal mine workers, chimney sweeps, asphalt layers, and others whose exposure to it is *much* higher than those, like most of us, who use coal tar medicinally. – Dave W. http://members.aol.com/psorsite/
Response:
You ignore the scintific artilcles and many statistics that proves that coal tar or / and UVB tanning DO NOT cause skin cancer, why do you do it ??? You can read the whole articles in my site below. Show me ONE article that proves what you claim. Gil — Visit our site for Psoriasis cure: http://uvblamps.8m.com/ G.T.marketing 7 Hachavazelet street Jerusalem 94224 ISRAEL Internet sites: http://uvblamps.8m.com/ http://www.myfreeoffice.com/uvblamps/
Response:
My extremely scientific method was to put a gob of one ointment on my index finger and a gob of the other on my middle finger and then smear them both around the affected area; I guess I used about a 50/50 mix. I stopped using the sal. ointment after a few days because I was afraid of irritating my skin; for some reason lately I seem to be quite susceptible to that skin trauma syndrome (can’t remember the name–K-something). Actually, I’m thinking of trying the salicylic ointment on one spot all by itself for a while and see how it compares with the coal tar. But a colorless, odorless, non-steroidal ointment that actually feels good going on sounds too good to be true! Good luck, Susan
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m delighted to hear about your good results. I’ll give it another try. In > what proportions did you make the mixture? > Thanks in advance, > -Mike > Ah ha! The perfect opportunity for me to add to the ‘MG-217′ thread that > came and went a couple of weeks ago. After reading some of the posts, I > bought both (salicylic acid and coaltar) ointments and got excellent > results > on my mild psoriasis. The sal. ointment is completely odorless and totally > removed any scales; I’m now using just the coal tar version, which leaves > my > skin smooth, although still slightly pink where the plaques were.Both > ointments have a nice consistency, slightly less greasy and thick than > petroleum jelly, and the coal tar ointment is non-staining and not as > strong > smelling as some others I’ve tried, which means I’m more likely to use it > regularly. Neither of them is too pricey: around the $10 US range. > Good luck, > Susan > > > I’ve suffered with this damn disease for years, only relief seems to > come from > > > coal tar. does any one know where I can aquire it with out > prescription? > > You don’t need a prescription for coal tar products, there are several > available > > over the counter at any good drug store. Just read the label and you > will > find > > quite a few with coal tar. MG-217 makes two ointments, one has coal tar > and you > > should be able to find it without much problem. Try a Walgreens if one > is > near > > you… > > Scott > > —
Response:
I’m delighted to hear about your good results. I’ll give it another try. In what proportions did you make the mixture? Thanks in advance, -Mike
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Ah ha! The perfect opportunity for me to add to the ‘MG-217′ thread that > came and went a couple of weeks ago. After reading some of the posts, I > bought both (salicylic acid and coaltar) ointments and got excellent results > on my mild psoriasis. The sal. ointment is completely odorless and totally > removed any scales; I’m now using just the coal tar version, which leaves my > skin smooth, although still slightly pink where the plaques were.Both > ointments have a nice consistency, slightly less greasy and thick than > petroleum jelly, and the coal tar ointment is non-staining and not as strong > smelling as some others I’ve tried, which means I’m more likely to use it > regularly. Neither of them is too pricey: around the $10 US range. > Good luck, > Susan > > I’ve suffered with this damn disease for years, only relief seems to > come from > > coal tar. does any one know where I can aquire it with out prescription? > You don’t need a prescription for coal tar products, there are several > available > over the counter at any good drug store. Just read the label and you will > find > quite a few with coal tar. MG-217 makes two ointments, one has coal tar > and you > should be able to find it without much problem. Try a Walgreens if one is > near > you… > Scott > —
Response:
Ah ha! The perfect opportunity for me to add to the ‘MG-217′ thread that came and went a couple of weeks ago. After reading some of the posts, I bought both (salicylic acid and coaltar) ointments and got excellent results on my mild psoriasis. The sal. ointment is completely odorless and totally removed any scales; I’m now using just the coal tar version, which leaves my skin smooth, although still slightly pink where the plaques were.Both ointments have a nice consistency, slightly less greasy and thick than petroleum jelly, and the coal tar ointment is non-staining and not as strong smelling as some others I’ve tried, which means I’m more likely to use it regularly. Neither of them is too pricey: around the $10 US range. Good luck, Susan
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ve suffered with this damn disease for years, only relief seems to come from > coal tar. does any one know where I can aquire it with out prescription? > You don’t need a prescription for coal tar products, there are several available > over the counter at any good drug store. Just read the label and you will find > quite a few with coal tar. MG-217 makes two ointments, one has coal tar and you > should be able to find it without much problem. Try a Walgreens if one is near > you… > Scott > —
Response:
See if you wait long enough the same subject will come back. Tim
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Ah ha! The perfect opportunity for me to add to the ‘MG-217′ thread that > came and went a couple of weeks ago. After reading some of the posts, I > bought both (salicylic acid and coaltar) ointments and got excellent results > on my mild psoriasis. The sal. ointment is completely odorless and totally > removed any scales; I’m now using just the coal tar version, which leaves my > skin smooth, although still slightly pink where the plaques were.Both > ointments have a nice consistency, slightly less greasy and thick than > petroleum jelly, and the coal tar ointment is non-staining and not as strong > smelling as some others I’ve tried, which means I’m more likely to use it > regularly. Neither of them is too pricey: around the $10 US range. > Good luck, > Susan
Response:
> I’ve suffered with this damn disease for years, only relief seems to come from > coal tar. does any one know where I can aquire it with out prescription?
You don’t need a prescription for coal tar products, there are several available over the counter at any good drug store. Just read the label and you will find quite a few with coal tar. MG-217 makes two ointments, one has coal tar and you should be able to find it without much problem. Try a Walgreens if one is near you… Scott —
Response:
>I’ve suffered with this damn disease for years, only relief seems to >come from coal tar. does any one know where I can aquire it with out >prescription?
Depends on where you live. There are lots of over-the-counter coal tars available here in the States. See http://members.aol.com/psorsite/coaltar.html for an as-of-yet incomplete listing of coal tar preparations. – Dave W. http://members.aol.com/psorsite/
Response:
In Israel you can buy pure coal tar in most pharmacies. cost about 10 dollars for 30cc. you can mix it 5-10 percent with Vaseline or parafin oil. There is liquid coal tar and solid. The solid is black, difficult to wash and has terible smell. The liquid (purified) has also bad smell. If you mix it with a bath liquid soap and use it as a soap you will also get good results, wait 1-2 minutes before washing. You can also mix with shampoo, put protect from eyes. Gil Visit our site for Psoriasis cure: http://uvblamps.8m.com/ G.T.marketing 7 Hachavazelet street Jerusalem 94224 ISRAEL Internet sites: http://uvblamps.8m.com/ http://www.myfreeoffice.com/uvblamps/
Response:
Go to any drug store and ask them for some. They can order coal tar liquid then you can mix with mineral oil or petroleum jelly. Last time I got some was at Walgreens. Tim
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ve suffered with this damn disease for years, only relief seems to come from > coal tar. does any one know where I can aquire it with out prescription? > You don’t need a prescription for coal tar products, there are several available > over the counter at any good drug store. Just read the label and you will find > quite a few with coal tar. MG-217 makes two ointments, one has coal tar and you > should be able to find it without much problem. Try a Walgreens if one is near > you… > Scott > —
Response:
I’ve suffered with this damn disease for years, only relief seems to come from coal tar. does any one know where I can aquire it with out prescription?
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