Coal Tar for dry scaling skin.

[multigraincracker]

Bought a bottle for less than $10 on amazon. After one use my head no longer itched or scaled. I had been using expensive name brand medicated shampoo that barely made any difference.
Smells just like tar.

Uses
This medication is used on the skin to treat the itching, scaling, and flaking due to skin conditions such as psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis. Coal tar belongs to a class of drugs known as keratoplastics. It works by causing the skin to shed dead cells from its top layer and slow down the growth of skin cells. This effect decreases scaling and dryness. Coal tar can also decrease itchiness from these skin conditions.

How to use coal tar topical

Follow all directions on the product package. Check the label to see if you need to shake the product before using. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This medication is for use on the skin only. To avoid irritation, do not let this medication come into contact with your eyes, nose, mouth, groin, or rectum. If you do get the medication in those areas, flush the area with cool water for 15 minutes. Wash hands after use.

Apply a small amount to the affected area. Massage in gently. Apply usually 1 to 4 times a day or as directed by your doctor. Allow to air dry before touching clothing. Do not apply to broken or infected skin unless directed by your doctor.

[mopinko]

1. i remember my older sisters using it.

can still see that greeeeeyy suds.

[multigraincracker]

2. Don't know why I decided to smell it.

Sure enough, just like a fresh tarred summer black top road.

[mopinko]

3. i remember.

[doc03]

4. I have been using Kroger brand Coal Tar shampoo for

years and it is by far the best dandruff shampoo I ever used. The last bottle I bought was less than $3. I don't notice any bad odor. I did work in a steel mill for 40 years so my smeller doesnt work so well anymore though.

[multigraincracker]

6. I use to work outside in a rail yard all winter.

Everyone would lather up their hand with vaseline and they still cracked and dried out.
I'd take about 6 to 8 fish oil pills a day and never had a problem with dry cracking hands.

Thanks for the Kroger tip.

[doc03]

9. They changed the bottle now it reads

Therapeutic T+Plus Dandruff Shampoo. It says compare to Neutragena Theraputic T/Gel Shampoo. You have to look for it they put all the expensive name brands at eye level it will be on the top or bottom shelf.

[Grokenstein]

5. Coal tar shampoos are pretty common.

Neutrogena's "T/Gel" is probably the best known brand but most chains carry their own generic. They don't seem to have any strong odor. I've seen coal tar bar soap on Amazon but never tried it.

I use the shampoo to "augment" my Head & Shoulders-type shampoo, just to alternate with something different. When the psoriasis on my elbows acts up, I'll rub some on that as well, but Gold Bond cream works best. Ha ha ha, damn right you don't want coal tar 'poo anywhere near your crotch--especially the stronger, "tingly" formulas. I can't remember the brand anymore, but there was some stuff in a green bottle that lit my skin up like electric shock. Probably got yanked off the market for some horrible reason. (There was a scare about carcinogens a few years back, but the products on the market today are all certified as safe for regular use.)

[sinkingfeeling]

7. Has been used to treat psoriasis for decades.

[bucolic_frolic]

8. medicated expensive

Last time I looked, about 5 years ago, medicated zinc dandruff shampoo went for about $2 more per bottle. I'd bet that differential is $3 or more today. The medicated component is eucalyptol. I bought a 2 ounce bottle of name brand eucalyptus oil for about $5. I could medicate about 78 bottles of shampoo with it - medication takes about 6-8 drops.

The more I buy, the more fleeced I feel.

[Midnight Writer]

10. I had a terrible dandruff problem when I was a kid. Coal tar shampoo cleared it right up.

My teacher called my Mom because I was scratching my head so much in class and leaving a dandruff pile on my desk.

Mom tried several name brand dandruff shampoos, but they didn't help.

Then she used coal tar and I had immediate relief.

I still keep a bottle on hand.

[SergeStorms]

11. I had eczema as a kid....

the doctor gave us some coal tar with some sort of "flesh" colored cream in it to apply to the affected areas, usually on my legs. It looked like hell, as I remember, didn't blend in with my flesh's colored, but it did stop the itching and scaling.

I grew out of having eczema as I matured. I'll never forget those small, white jars of " flesh" colored coal tar though.

[Warpy]

12. Used it on patients in the 80s for full body psoriasis

which is just as awful as it sound and is life threatening if untreated. We used the coal tar at night on our patients.

Be aware of two things: first, it stinks and bed partners might find it objectionable; and second, it temporarily stains, so you might want to wrap whatever you're using it on in stockinette or old rags. It will launder out, but changing the sheets on a daily basis is tiring.

If it's psoriasis or other autoimmune skin conditions, steroids or some of the newer drugs will be needed to treat it properly, so see your doctor. If it's scaly elbows like I get every winter, it will do a fantastic job in just a couple of nights.

I don't like the stink or the stain, so I use Vaseline or Curel and a non stick dressing to keep it in place for a few days. That works, too.