Coal Tar and Ultraviolet Light

Everett, Mark Allen

doi:10.1001/archderm.1961.01580150119019

Cited by 13 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Diascoride's description of ‘asphalt’ which he used to treat various cutaneous disorders about 2000 years ago closely resembles that of present day coal tar 1 . Although coal tar was first described by Becker and Serle (1681), its first use in skin disorders was reported by Fishel (1894) 5 . Goeckerman (1925) first demonstrated the scientific use of coal tar with ultraviolet radiation in the treatment of psoriasis 6 .…”

Section: Historical Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The atrophogenic effect of CCT manifests clinically by the decreased thickness of plaques of psoriasis with prolonged application. Whether this atrophogenic effect is reversible at cessation of CCT has not been studied; photosensitizing effect with an absorption spectrum of 330–550 nm 5,10 . Goeckerman initially believed that the efficacy of tar and UVB in psoriasis was due to its photosensitizing potential.…”

Section: Pharmacologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…photosensitizing effect with an absorption spectrum of 330–550 nm 5,10 . Goeckerman initially believed that the efficacy of tar and UVB in psoriasis was due to its photosensitizing potential.…”

Section: Pharmacologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1 Although coal tar was first described by Becker and Serle (1681), its first use in skin disorders was reported by Fishel (1894). 5 Goeckerman (1925) first demonstrated the scientific use of coal tar with ultraviolet radiation in the treatment of psoriasis. 6 This subsequently became known as the ÔGoeckerman regimenÕ and modifications were introduced when considered appropriate.…”

Section: Historical Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Coal tar: past, present and future

Thami

Sarkar

2002

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology

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Crude coal tar has been used in the treatment of dermatoses for many decades. In the last few years its use has been limited to skin diseases such as psoriasis and chronic dermatitis. Newer topical modalities for psoriasis are being used increasingly for treatment, but have failed to replace crude coal tar as a first-line treatment of psoriasis. We review the pharmacology, chemistry and use of crude coal in order to reappraise its role as a therapeutic agent in dermatology.

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Section: Historical Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Pharmacologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Pharmacologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Historical Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Coal tar: past, present and future

Thami

Sarkar

2002

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology

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“…When Coal Tar solution and UV light were applied to the skin of 21 persons, erythema and tanning were more prominent at the control sites in all patients. Everett and Miller 1961 When Coal Tar solution (USP) and UV light were applied to the skin of five adult males, erythema was greater in the tar-free areas than the tar-exposed areas. Kaidbey and Kligman 1974b The intensity of the phototoxic response to Coal Tar was strongly influenced by the vehicle, with vanishing cream producing the greatest reaction (erythema and minimal edema).…”

Section: Starke and Jillson 1961mentioning

confidence: 99%

Final Safety Assessment of Coal Tar as Used in Cosmetics

2008

Int J Toxicol

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Coal Tar is a semisolid by-product obtained in the destructive distillation of bituminous coal, which functions in cosmetic products as a cosmetic biocide and denaturant--antidandruff agent is also listed as a function, but this is considered an over-the-counter (OTC) drug use. Coal Tar is a nearly black, viscous liquid, heavier than water, with a naphthalene-like odor and a sharp burning taste, produced in cooking ovens as a by-product in the manufacture of coke. Crude Coal Tar is composed of 48% hydrocarbons, 42% carbon, and 10% water. In 2002, Coal Tar was reported to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used in four formulations, all of which appear to be OTC drug products. Coal Tar is monographed by the FDA as Category I (safe and effective) OTC drug ingredient for use in the treatment of dandruff, seborrhoea, and psoriasis. Coal Tar is absorbed through the skin of animals and humans and is systemically distributed. In short-term studies, mice fed a diet containing Coal Tar found it unpalatable, but no adverse effects were reported other than weight loss; rats injected with Coal Tar experienced malaise in one study and decreased water intake and increased liver weights in another; rabbits injected with Coal Tar residue experienced eating avoidance, respiratory difficulty, sneezing, and weight loss. In a subchronic neurotoxicity study using mice, a mixture of phenols, cresols, and xylenols at concentrations approximately equal to those expected in Coal Tar extracts produced regionally selective effects, with a rank order of corpus striatum > cerebellum > cerebral cortex. Coal Tar applied to the backs of guinea pigs increases epidermal thickness. Painting female rabbits with tar decreases the absolute and relative weights of the ovaries and decreased the number of interstitial cells in the ovary. Four therapeutic Coal Tar preparations used in the treatment of psoriasis were mutagenic in the Ames assay. Urine and blood from patients treated with Coal Tar were genotoxic in bacterial assays. Coal Tar was genotoxic in a mammalian genotoxicity assay and induced DNA adducts in various tissue types. Chronic exposure of mice to Coal Tar significantly decreased survival and liver neoplasms were seen in a significant dose-related trend; in other studies using mice lung tumors and perianal skin cancers were found. Coal Tar was comedogenic in three small clinical studies. Folliculitis is associated with the prolonged use of some tars. Several published reports describe cases of contact sensitivity to Coal Tar. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which make up Coal Tar, are photosensitizers and cause phototoxicity by an oxygen-dependent mechanism. A retrospective study of the reproductive toxicity of Coal Tar in humans compared exposed women to controls and found little difference in spontaneous abortion and congenital disorders. Cancer epidemiology studies of patients who have received Coal Tar therapy of one form or other have failed to link treatment with an increase in the risk of cancer. Although the Cosmetic In...

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