Tars for Psoriasis

Tar products that are used to treat Reference psoriasis Opens New Window come in several forms. Coal tar is available as a gel, cream, ointment, liquid, or shampoo. You can get most tar products without a prescription.

Tar therapy usually starts with a product that contains only a small amount of tar. The amount may be increased every few days (unless your symptoms aren't improving or you have side effects).

Tar products may be used with Reference ultraviolet B (UVB) light therapy. This is called Goeckerman treatment. This combination may be given to a person who is in the hospital, usually over a period of 2 to 3 weeks. It may also be given in sessions at a doctor's office or at home. A session usually lasts 8 hours, and 1 to 6 sessions a week are needed.

The Ingram regimen combines bathing with a coal tar product, applying Reference anthralin cream, and getting UVB light therapy. The treatment takes about 3 weeks and can be done in the hospital or in a day treatment program.

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