How to Treat Psoriasis Using Tar

Tar is increasingly used as a home remedy for psoriasis, helping reverse the rapid proliferation of the skin cells. It is derived from both coal and as well as wood from trees such as pine and juniper. Tar is available over the counter at health stores as a mediction in the form of shampoo, gels, lotions and creams. Here's how to use tar to treat scalp psoriasis.

Instructions

1. Medicated tar shampoo should be massaged into your scalp and then left on for about five to 10 minutes before you rinse it out. This allows enough time for the tar shampoo to penetrate the scales on the scalp. Wash your hair with your regular shampoo after rinsing it out, because this shampoo is more curative than cleansing.

2. Add a tar solution to your bath water and then soak in it for a 15 to 30 minutes. While a tar bath is not useful in helping clear psoriasis lesions, it does help to relieve scaling and itching.

3. Tar gels, lotions and creams and be applied directly onto your psoriasis lesions. Leave it on for at least two hours. Apply it in the same direction as your hair grows to avoid inflammation.

4. While you may see improvements after two weeks, you should continue treatment for at least eight weeks, even if symptoms disappear, for maximum benefit.

Tips & Warnings

• When using any tar medication, take care to follow the directions on the product label or your doctor's instructions.

• The higher the concentration of tar in a product, the more potent and odorous it will be.

• Tar easily stains bed linens and clothing. To help minimize staining, let the tar medication air dry on your skin before you get between the sheets or wear clothes over the affected area.