Anyone ever use coal tar for itchy scalp/psoriasis?

[UdoKier]

I just started using Denorex coal tar shampoo, and am wondering what people's experiences were.

The State of California claims it's carcinogenic, but the courts said that the research indicating it as such was on drastically higher amounts used on rats and that the amounts used on humans can't be considered enough to be a risk.

I don't intend to use it on an extended basis, just wondering how effective it is.

The smell is interesting. Reminds me of the subway.

[barackmyworld]

1. no, no, and gross

If you really have a problem with it, there are effective steroids that only need to be used for 5 days.

[UdoKier]

2. I should clarify. It's a shampoo with coal tar preparation.

Not as gross as it sounds.

[melnjones]

4. lol,

thanks for the clarification. I was concerned. I use the stuff very regularly and never heard that it's carcinogenic. Oh well.

[melnjones]

3. are you just using the tar itself?

Or are you using a shampoo that contains it? Neutrogena has a shampoo that is 5% coal tar or something like that.

[UdoKier]

5. Yeah, the shampoo. It's Denorex, half as strong as the Neutrogena.

Even so, it feels potent...

[melnjones]

8. Actually, I kinda like the smell.

Call me weird.

[GreenPartyVoter]

11. I like the neutrogena, myself

[TNDemo]

6. I just bought some for my daughter

who has psoriasis. She hasn't used it enough to see a difference. I never knew about the carcinogen thing. Steroids won't do a thing for psoriasis and the prescription cream didn't do much either so we are going to give the soap a shot.

[democrat in Tallahassee]

7. yes, I've used it for short periods for psoriasis and it works great

It stinks somewhat though

[sam sarrha]

9. it is the 'Lignite" in it, you can get it at some healthfood stores

lignite can help heal burns and all kinds of things

[libodem]

10. I haven't used it but

I've used it hundreds of times on the residents of the places I've worked. I think it smells bad. It used to smell worse. The smell has been improved. Works well, though.

[BrewerJohn]

12. Works OK

Not as well as I wanted, but better than nothing.
Eventually I got prescribed Olux for psoriasis. It's a foam (non-greasy) that you apply to the scalp. It's fairly expensive, but really cleared me up to the point where I just use it a couple of times a week.