Salicylic Acid+coal Tar
About Salicylic Acid+coal Tar
Salicylic Acid+coal Tar belongs to a medication called 'keratolytic agent' primarily used to treat skin conditions like psoriasis, dandruff, and control seborrheic dermatitis (scaly patches and red skin on the scalp). Salicylic Acid+coal Tar reduces the hardening, thickening, and scaling of the skin. Psoriasis is a skin disorder in which skin cells multiply up to 10 times faster than usual, leading to skin build-up into bumpy (uneven) red patches covered with white scales. These commonly appear on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back.
Salicylic Acid+coal Tar is composed of two medicines: Salicylic acid (peeling agent) and Coal Tar (keratoplastic). Salicylic acid is a keratolytic medicine (softens, separates, and causes desquamation (peeling) of the cornified epithelium or horny layer of skin). Salicylic acid increases moisture in the skin and dissolves the substance that causes the skin cells to stick together. It breaks down the clumps of keratin, removes dead skin cells, and softens the skin. Salicylic acid is also an anti-inflammatory agent and topical antibacterial. Coal tar belongs to a class of drugs known as keratoplastic (thickens the keratin layers). It works by removing dead cells from the skin’s top layer and slowing down skin cells' growth. This effect decreases scaling and dryness, thus relieving itchiness from various skin conditions.
Salicylic Acid+coal Tar is for topical (for skin use) only. Salicylic Acid+coal Tar has common side effects like warmth or a burning sensation, skin irritation, itching and redness at the application site. The burning sensation may usually last for five minutes after application. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, please consult your doctor.
Let your doctor know if you have any allergic reactions to Salicylic Acid+coal Tar or other medications. Do not put a dressing or bandage on the affected area unless the doctor advises doing so. Please check with your doctor before using Salicylic Acid+coal Tar, if you have kidney, liver diseases, folliculitis (inflammation of hair follicles), lupus erythematosus (an autoimmune disease), broken or infected skin, diabetes, poor blood circulation, and other skin infections. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should consult the doctor before starting Salicylic Acid+coal Tar.
Uses of Salicylic Acid+coal Tar
Medicinal Benefits
Salicylic Acid+coal Tar consists of Salicylic acid (peeling agent) and Coal Tar (keratoplastic). It is used to treat psoriasis and controls seborrheic dermatitis (scaly patches and red skin on the scalp). Salicylic acid is a keratolytic medicine that increases moisture in the skin and dissolves the substance that causes the skin cells to stick together thereby breaking down the clumps of keratin (hair protein), removes dead skin cells, and softens the skin. Coal tar is a keratoplastic (thickens the keratin layers) agent that causes shedding of dead cells from the skin’s top layer and slows down skin cells' growth, decreasing scaling and dryness relieves itchiness.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Salicylic Acid+coal Tar
- Burning sensation
- Skin irritation
- Itching
- Redness at the application site
Drug Warnings
Do not use any skin products containing ammoniated mercury on the same affected areas being treated with Salicylic Acid+coal Tar. Doing so can cause a foul odour, skin irritation, and black stain on the skin. Salicylic Acid+coal Tar may temporarily discolour blond, bleached, or tinted hair. Before using Salicylic Acid+coal Tar, inform your doctor know if have a history of kidney, liver diseases, folliculitis (inflammation of hair follicles), lupus erythematosus (an autoimmune disease), broken or infected skin, diabetes, poor blood circulation, other skin infections, and allergic reactions to Salicylic Acid+coal Tar and other medicines. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should consult the doctor before starting Salicylic Acid+coal Tar.Do not put a dressing or bandage on the affected area unless the doctor advises doing so. Do not go near naked flames since the fabric that comes in contact with Salicylic Acid+coal Tar may burn easily. Washing the fabric may decrease the risk, but it does not remove the product completely.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Salicylic Acid+coal Tar may interact with other dermatological medicines (adapalene, isotretinoin, trifarotene), psoriasis medicines (methoxsalen), tumour treating drugs (porfimer), and eye-related medicines (verteporfin).
Drug-Food Interaction: No drug-food interactions found/ established. However, avoiding fatty foods, alcohol, and caffeine can effectively manage infections.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Brief your doctor if you have a medical history of kidney/liver diseases, folliculitis, lupus erythematosus, broken or infected skin, diabetes, poor blood circulation, other skin infections, and allergic reactions.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
safe if prescribedNo interactions were found. Please consult your doctor before using Salicylic Acid+coal Tar.
Pregnancy
cautionIt is not known if Salicylic Acid+coal Tar affects pregnancy. Please consult your doctor if you are planning to conceive or are already pregnant before starting Salicylic Acid+coal Tar.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere is limited data on how Salicylic Acid+coal Tar affects breastfeeding. Please consult your doctor before starting Salicylic Acid+coal Tar.
Driving
safe if prescribedSalicylic Acid+coal Tar has negligible influence on the ability to drive or use machines.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment before using Salicylic Acid+coal Tar.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before using Salicylic Acid+coal Tar.
Children
safe if prescribedSalicylic Acid+coal Tar is to be used on children below 12 years of age only when prescribed by the doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Use mild soap while taking baths and prefer warm baths.
- Always wear loose-fitting clothes to avoid further sweat and the spread of the fungal infection.
- Regularly change your socks and wash your feet. Avoid shoes that make your feet sweaty and hot.
- Do not walk barefoot at places like gym showers to prevent infections.
- Do not scratch the affected area of the skin as it can spread the infection to other body parts.
- Avoid sharing towels, combs, bed sheets, shoes or socks with others.
- Wash your bedsheets and towels regularly.
- Avoid or limit the intake of alcohol and caffeine.
- Do not scratch or pick your skin to avoid getting the affected area infected.
- Manage stress, eat healthily, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and sleep peacefully.
Special Advise
- It is advised to reach out to your doctor if the infection symptoms persist or worsen after two treatment weeks. Before applying Salicylic Acid+coal Tar, clean and dry the affected area.
- Avoid contact of Salicylic Acid+coal Tar with nose, mouth or eyes. If Salicylic Acid+coal Tar comes in contact with these areas accidentally, rinse with water thoroughly.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Psoriasis: It is a skin disorder in which skin cells multiply up to 10 times faster than usual, leading to skin build-up into bumpy (uneven) red patches covered with white scales. These most commonly appear on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back.
Seborrheic dermatitis: The skin disease causes scaly patches and red skin, mainly on the scalp. It can cause stubborn dandruff.
FAQs
Salicylic Acid+coal Tar consists of Salicylic acid and Coal tar, which helps treat skin conditions like psoriasis, dandruff, and seborrheic dermatitis. Salicylic Acid+coal Tar works by shedding the outer layer of skin, removing the dead skin cells, and softening it.
Salicylic Acid+coal Tar is for topical (for skin) use only. Do not apply Salicylic Acid+coal Tar on mucous membranes, lesions, or large areas of skin. If the medicine gets into your eyes, nose or mouth, rinse with cold water.
Please inform your doctor if you have any kidney, liver diseases, folliculitis (inflammation of hair follicles), lupus erythematosus (an autoimmune disease), diabetes, poor blood circulation, broken or infected skin, and other skin infections before using Salicylic Acid+coal Tar.
It is not advised to stop using Salicylic Acid+coal Tar even after your symptoms are relieved. You should complete the full course of treatment. You might see improvement in your symptoms, but the disease might not be cured completely.
Do not use any skin products containing ammoniated mercury on the same affected area as this Salicylic Acid+coal Tar. Doing so can cause a foul odour, skin irritation, black stain of skin. Salicylic Acid+coal Tar may temporarily discolour blond, bleached, or tinted hair.