How does coal tar treat psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a skin condition that can be both uncomfortable and embarrassing. If you or a loved one has psoriasis, then you’ve likely heard about coal tar as a possible treatment option. But what exactly is coal tar, and how does it work to ease the symptoms of psoriasis? In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about using coal tar for psoriasis.

What Is Coal Tar?

Coal tar might sound like an ingredient in some sort of sinister cauldron potion concocted by witches. But fear not: it’s actually a highly refined product derived from coal through the process of carbonization (a fancy word meaning turning stuff into charcoal). During this process, organic compounds are broken down and transformed into various useful products – including coke (not the drink), gas, oil, and yes, even our good friend coal tar.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Coal Tar For Psoriasis?

The primary benefit of using coal tar for psoriasis is that it helps to reduce inflammation while slowing skin cell growth rates. Many people use topical creams or lotions featuring unique concentrations of active ingredients (% w/v) such as 0.5% – 5% Concentrated Coal Tar Solution (CCTS), which happens to be pretty effective in treating, dark scaly plaques on your elbows/knees/scalp (I’m talking super-effective).

Other benefits include:

  • Smooth Sailing On A Low Budget
  • Reduction in Itching
  • No Prescription Required

While there are also some downsides associated with using coal tar products (such as unpleasant odors) they’re usually outweighed by their effectiveness in improving your quality-of-bathroom-mirror-time.

Who Can Use Coal Tar Products?

Pretty much anyone with mild-to-moderate scalp/hand/feet/elbows/knees/whatever else psoriasis can probably benefit from using coal tar products without needing to consult a doctor. If you’re worried about any sort of interactions or pre-existing conditions affecting your ability to use these products, though, it’s always best to check with a healthcare professional.

How Do Coal Tar Products Work?

Coal tar products like shampoos and creams work by slowing down the growth rates of skin cells while also preventing inflammation that can lead to itching and redness (aka unpleasantness). Some types of coal tar are more effective than others depending on the severity of your symptoms – 2% CCTS usually offers pretty good results!

There are multiple mechanisms through which coal tar brings relief for psoriasis:
– Shedding p-teensy-weensy-skin cells
– Mild anti-inflammatory agent.
– Normalizing keratinocyte activity: A fancy name for normalizing/aggressively reducing fast growing skin cells(so they stop exhibiting their frat-boy-gone-wild tendencies)

This three-pronged approach is why so many psoriafighters (am I right) swear by coal tar as an effective treatment option for their condition.

What Are The Risks Associated With Using Coal Tar Products For Psoriasis?

Like most skincare treatments, there are some risks associated with using coal tar. These include:

  1. Staining Your Hair Or Clothes – gr8 way to actually make real them-dirty-coalminers’ kids feel relatable again IMO.
  2. Sensitivity To Light – Use Of Sunscreen Recommended
  3. Unpleasant Smell – Even if only noticeable after sitting next to someone at SOOCCER practice (happened once in my case)
  4. Not Always Effective In More Severe Cases Of Psoriasis

It’s important to pay attention during treatment usage(don’t skip out on low hanging fruit benefits Yo!) . If you notice any unusual side effects or worsening of your symptoms, consult with a healthcare professional right away.

What Should You Look For In A Coal Tar Product?

When looking for a coal tar product to treat your psoriasis, you should pay attention to:

  • The concentration of coal tar in the formula (Fun fact: some products have concentrations as low as 0.05% and just straight up tryna’ deceive customers)
  • The types of other ingredients present in the formula (Anything that will dry out already constantly parched skin…)
  • Reviews/Recommendations by reviewers like us – (Hint Hint)

By taking these factors into account, you’ll be much more likely to find an effective product that will provide relief to your psoriasis symptoms without any unwanted side effects(Heck ye!).

Are There Any Alternative Treatments To Consider Instead Of Using A Coal Tar Product?

While there are many different treatment options available for psoriasis(Mmm hmm some actually work), not all of them are created equally when it comes down to saving time on wikipedia & money burning sessions. If coal tar isn’t working well for you or if you’re concerned about its potential risks(everyone eventually gets bored wearing orange-stained clothes…) , here are few alternatives treatments that could still do wonders:
1. Salicylic acid: Mild Keratolytic Agent.
2. Topical corticosteroids: Strong anti-inflammatory agents.
3. Moisturizing creams – Can help prevent scaly rash outbreaks caused by excessively dry skin.

Ultimately, the best option is usually whatever one works best with your individual condition / medical history /skin type/preferences etc…. Consultation with dermatologists is more than recommended!

Takeaways

Coal tar products offer an effective way to manage mild-to-moderate symptoms of psoriasis while also providing cost-effective and accessible care(still better than wrapping saran wrap around oneself – learnt it the hard way … ). Whether you’re using a coal tar shampoo or lotion, it’s important to follow the instructions and monitor your skin for any adverse reactions.

If you have more severe psoriasis symptoms or if you’re uncertain about how best to proceed with care – reach out to Psoriac Mafia (jk ), consulting a healthcare professional can help clarify next steps (Yes they are smarter than us sometimes). By taking care of your skin today, you’ll be one step closer towards enjoying clear, healthy looking skin again(which every camera-doting pseudo-photographer will cherish) in no time.

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