COAL TAR
TYPE OF INGREDIENT
Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial
COMMONLY FOUND IN
Over-the-counter medicated shampoo, soap and ointment
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF COAL TAR?
Coal tar has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, anti-itch and antiparasitic properties. It is widely used as a topical treatment for dandruff and psoriasis, and to kill head lice.
WHAT IS COAL TAR?
Coal tar is a mixture of chemicals produced through thermal destruction of coal. It may be used as crude coal tar or as a coal tar solution known as liquor carbonis detergens (LCD), which is a solution of coal tar in alcohol and mixed with an ointment base.
IS COAL TAR SAFE FOR ALL SKIN TYPES AND TONES?
Coal tar is generally considered safe for all skin types. Side effects of coal tar products include skin irritation, skin discoloration, sun sensitivity and allergic reactions. Patients using coal tar products should be advised to limit sun exposure due to the increased risk of sunburn. Long-term exposure to coal tar has been shown to cause “tar warts”, which can progress to squamous cell carcinoma. Due to the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which can cause DNA damage, coal tar is generally considered a carcinogen with long-term exposure. However, studies have failed to show any increased risk of cancer in patients with psoriasis or eczema treated with topical coal tar ointment.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
There are no specific contraindications associated with coal tar. It is generally avoided in pregnancy and during breastfeeding.
Sources:
Paghdal KV, Schwartz RA. Topical tar: back to the future. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009 Aug;61(2):294-302.
Roelofzen JH, Aben KK, Oldenhof UT, Coenraads PJ, Alkemade HA, van de Kerkhof PC, van der Valk PG, Kiemeney LA. No increased risk of cancer after coal tar treatment in patients with psoriasis or eczema. J Invest Dermatol. 2010 Apr;130(4):953-61.
Moustafa GA, Xanthopoulou E, Riza E, Linos A. Skin disease after occupational dermal exposure to coal tar: a review of the scientific literature. Int J Dermatol. 2015 Aug;54(8):868-79.
Roelofzen JH, Aben KK, van der Valk PG, van Houtum JL, van de Kerkhof PC, Kiemeney LA. Coal tar in dermatology. J Dermatolog Treat. 2007;18(6):329-34.
Thami G, Sarkar R. Coal tar: past, present and future. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2002 Mar;27(2):99-103.
