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Coal Tar and Ultraviolet Light

Coal Tar and Ultraviolet Light Abstract The use of tar preparations in dermatology has been known for many years. Dioscorides described the use of asphaltic tar as a panacea for cutaneous disorders nearly 2,000 years ago.1 Coal tar was discovered and described by Becker and Serle in 1681, but its application was first specifically mentioned by Fischel in 1894.2 Since the inception of its use, coal tar has been tried in many forms and on almost all types of cutaneous lesions. There has been disagreement as to the effectiveness and actual mode of action of coal tar in the cases where it proved beneficial. It has been alleged that coal tar contains a photosensitizing element which makes the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet light, and thereby results in an increased erythema and pigmentation of the skin when it is exposed to ultraviolet light. Goeckermann3,4 first published his regimen for the treatment of psoriasis References 1. Downing, J. G., and Bauer, C. W.: Low and High Temperature Coal Tars in the Treatment of Eczema and Psoriasis , Arch Derm. Syph. 57: 985, 1948.Crossref 2. Nelson, M. O., and Osterberg, A. E.: A Purified Coal-Tar Ointment for the Treatment of Infantile Eczema , Arch. Derm. Syph. 15:669, 1927.Crossref 3. Goeckermann, W. H.: Treatment of Psoriasis , Northw. Med. 24:229, 1925. 4. Goeckermann, W. H.: Treatment of Psoriasis , Arch. Derm. Syph. 24:446, 1931.Crossref 5. Herrick, J., and Sheard, C.: Effects of Irradiation of Crude Coal Tar by Quartz Mercury Vapor Lamps , Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 26:331928.Crossref 6. Fleischhauer, L.: Sensitization of Skin to Light by Means of Liantral , Strahlentherapie 36: 144, 1930. 7. Obermayer, M. E., and Becker, S. W.: A Study of Crude Coal Tar and Allied Substances , Arch. Derm. Syph. 31:796, 1935.Crossref 8. Bachem, A.: Time Factors of Erythema and Pigmentation by Ultraviolet Rays of Different Wave Lengths , J. Invest. Derm. 25:215, 1955.Crossref 9. De Kleine, E. H.: Photoelectric Determination of Skin Color , Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 15:176, 1955.Crossref 10. Daniels, F., Jr., and Bergeson, L.: Vasomotor Studies in Ultraviolet Erythema , J. Invest. Derm. 35:329, 1960.Crossref http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Archives of Dermatology American Medical Association

Coal Tar and Ultraviolet Light

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References (14)

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 1961 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0003-987X
eISSN
1538-3652
DOI
10.1001/archderm.1961.01580150119019
Publisher site
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Abstract

Abstract The use of tar preparations in dermatology has been known for many years. Dioscorides described the use of asphaltic tar as a panacea for cutaneous disorders nearly 2,000 years ago.1 Coal tar was discovered and described by Becker and Serle in 1681, but its application was first specifically mentioned by Fischel in 1894.2 Since the inception of its use, coal tar has been tried in many forms and on almost all types of cutaneous lesions. There has been disagreement as to the effectiveness and actual mode of action of coal tar in the cases where it proved beneficial. It has been alleged that coal tar contains a photosensitizing element which makes the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet light, and thereby results in an increased erythema and pigmentation of the skin when it is exposed to ultraviolet light. Goeckermann3,4 first published his regimen for the treatment of psoriasis References 1. Downing, J. G., and Bauer, C. W.: Low and High Temperature Coal Tars in the Treatment of Eczema and Psoriasis , Arch Derm. Syph. 57: 985, 1948.Crossref 2. Nelson, M. O., and Osterberg, A. E.: A Purified Coal-Tar Ointment for the Treatment of Infantile Eczema , Arch. Derm. Syph. 15:669, 1927.Crossref 3. Goeckermann, W. H.: Treatment of Psoriasis , Northw. Med. 24:229, 1925. 4. Goeckermann, W. H.: Treatment of Psoriasis , Arch. Derm. Syph. 24:446, 1931.Crossref 5. Herrick, J., and Sheard, C.: Effects of Irradiation of Crude Coal Tar by Quartz Mercury Vapor Lamps , Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 26:331928.Crossref 6. Fleischhauer, L.: Sensitization of Skin to Light by Means of Liantral , Strahlentherapie 36: 144, 1930. 7. Obermayer, M. E., and Becker, S. W.: A Study of Crude Coal Tar and Allied Substances , Arch. Derm. Syph. 31:796, 1935.Crossref 8. Bachem, A.: Time Factors of Erythema and Pigmentation by Ultraviolet Rays of Different Wave Lengths , J. Invest. Derm. 25:215, 1955.Crossref 9. De Kleine, E. H.: Photoelectric Determination of Skin Color , Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 15:176, 1955.Crossref 10. Daniels, F., Jr., and Bergeson, L.: Vasomotor Studies in Ultraviolet Erythema , J. Invest. Derm. 35:329, 1960.Crossref

Journal

Archives of Dermatology – American Medical Association

Published: Sep 1, 1961

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