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Original poster

I finally got hold of some coal tar for DD's psoriasis, can I put it on her face?

28 replies

used2bthin · 30/06/2008 16:49

Title says it all really! She has got excema/psoriasis on her face so I think the cream was really meant for her psoriasis patches on her elbows but wondered if it was safe to try it on her face. She's 21m btw.

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Original poster
used2bthin · 30/06/2008 17:53

Bump

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Swaliswan · 30/06/2008 19:20

What form is it in eg gel and what strength is it?

OhYouBadBadKitten · 30/06/2008 19:32

It does increase sensitivity to sun. Check with your pharmacist before you do it. (you can phone them for advice)

Original poster
used2bthin · 30/06/2008 20:56

I had to get it from the hospital pharmacy do you think I could still call them? I think I was told it was for her elbows and affected thigh only. Its only to be applied at night so would she be ok in the sun tomorrow? We've just been on holiday and its looking so much better from, I assume the sea air.

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Original poster
used2bthin · 30/06/2008 20:58

Just checked the tub it says 10% w/w in emulsifying ointment. Not sure what the w/w means though.

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OhYouBadBadKitten · 30/06/2008 21:31

I think its weight for weight?!

I would go outside day after applying coal tar (have done with my coal tar baths) but for a littleun Id be cautious. I'm not a doc but if it were my child I'd apply suncream and put her in longish shorts. Sun does help many sufferers but when its combined with coal tar its a bit tricky. Def make sure no sunburn.

Qm going to be scaring the neighbours with my bikini tomorrow to try and get some sun on my psoriasis.

gingerninja · 30/06/2008 21:36

used2b can you tell us what it is and how it's supposed to help? I'm interested as my DD has eczema and it's much worse at the moment and nothing seems to be working.

What's the deal with going out in the sun with coal tar?
Thanks

Original poster
used2bthin · 30/06/2008 21:42

I've been letting dd have the first hour or so outside without suncream recently and it seems to have helped but will be careful after the coal tar, thanks for the warning it says nothing on the tub! A few of her face creams say the same mind you. It's a shame since the sun helps so much. Spoke to the psoriasis association today they are sending me out a load of info as I know very little about it and DD is so younbg to have it that I am curious about why. Probably no reason but I need to read up on it anyway.

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GentleOtter · 30/06/2008 21:43

I put it very sparingly on my face at night and wash it off in the morning.Mine is 5%. Sunfactor 50 during the day though as it really does fry you in hot sun very quickly.

Avoid anything with bergamot oil in it and weirdly avoid celery too as it can make the skin sun sensitive. So said the dermatologist.

I'm with the others in advising you to phone the pharmacist.

Original poster
used2bthin · 30/06/2008 21:45

I'm not sure about how the coal tar works, OYBBK do you know? I think it is jsut for psoriasis but not sure why. DD has either psoriasis or excema or both on her face its horrible it seems to flare up and down for no known reason I keep wondering abvout trying cutting out certain foods but don't really know where to start. I have found that strawberries and tomatoes seem to aggravate it on her face so have cut those out which is sad as she loves them!

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Original poster
used2bthin · 30/06/2008 21:48

Thanks gentleotter I had no idea it was such strong stuff, I won't put it on her face I think. Does it scar like steroid creams? Does anyone know anything about elidel? We've been given it for her face as an alternative to steroid cream or pro topic.

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OhYouBadBadKitten · 30/06/2008 21:49

Its supposed to slow down the cell turnover I think. Also helps as an anti-itch.

article here

GentleOtter · 30/06/2008 21:55

I'm using Salcura Zeoderm on my skin as an experiment and am finding it excellent. It takes the heat and itch out of the skin at night imo.
I've used it for about three weeks now and the difference to my skin is amazing.

I never found that coal tar scarred but it is pretty strong stuff and smells too. It stains everything.

Original poster
used2bthin · 30/06/2008 21:56

Thanks for the link, that is quite worrying, I'm not sure I want dd to use it after all that! I'm wondering if I'd be best off leaving it and letting her get sun on it in summer then going back to it in winter if its still bad. How long do flare ups last normally? Hers do look a bit better than they were and they are going silvery is that good or bad?

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Original poster
used2bthin · 30/06/2008 21:58

Yes the coal tar stinks! Not heard of Salcura Zeoderm is that prescribed?

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GentleOtter · 30/06/2008 22:01

It depends on the type of psoriasis but silvery is when the dead skin cells begin to build up. Doc used to give me mild salycilic acid when that happened.
Flare ups are unpredictable ...

Original poster
used2bthin · 30/06/2008 22:02

oh so is that bad then the silvery bits?I'm not even sure what type she has

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Swaliswan · 30/06/2008 22:05

Coal tar isn't normally used on the face and 10% is strong. I would ask her dermatologist for something else she could use on her face. until then, I would put some sun screen on her and get her some sun light (avoiding 11-3 when the sun is at it's hottest and most dangerous).

GentleOtter · 30/06/2008 22:06

Sorry x-post!

The Salcura can be bought over the counter but is a little pricey. I paid £12 for a tub. It is well worth the money and there is a spray on version ( which is good for psoriasis in the hair)
I'll see if there is a link....
here

Original poster
used2bthin · 30/06/2008 22:10

Thanks, she has got other stuff for her face, the Elidel and eumovate for bad flare ups then just epiderm for keeping it moisturised. Oh also dactacort but that seems to make it worse??? Am I right in thinking that this will never go away it is just a case of keeping it so its not too uncomfortable for her? How do I find out which type she has?

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Swaliswan · 30/06/2008 22:12

She will always have psoriasis but it won't necessarily always be bad or in the same place as it is now. Ask her dermatologist about what type it is. There are several types and it is possible to have more than one type at any one time.

Original poster
used2bthin · 30/06/2008 22:12

Tbh I am at the point where I would pay most prices! Thanks for the link I'll see if I can get hold of some because it looks like its natural so that has to be good.

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Original poster
used2bthin · 30/06/2008 22:14

Ah ok Swaliswan, we are seeing the consultant in september so I will write down some questions for the appointment. Wish I'd asked more when she diagnosed it but didn't think to! I hate that she has got this already, and on top of all her health issues. Something is very unfair!

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GentleOtter · 30/06/2008 22:15

Ask your GP to be referred to a dermatologist. Some people can have psoriasis for only a little while and then it goes for good but in my case I first had it when I was 14 and am 48 now.
That said, after trying every cream/lotion/potion known to mankind ,this stuff is really working.
I did not like dactacort at all.

Original poster
used2bthin · 30/06/2008 22:21

No dactacort makes dd's flare up like nothing else, think I'll bin it. It was a dermatologist who diagnosed it. We'd been seeing her since jan about her face and it had been being treated as bad excema. Then by the time of our last appointment dd had developed these circles on her elbows and thigh and the doctor called the consultant in who said it was definately psoriasis but that the problem on her face could still be excema. She was very surprised because it is rare to get it so young and admitted that she isn't really sure what it is on her face.

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