Coal Tar, Reader Comments
Reader comments about my page on Coal Tar as a psoriasis treatment.
KF wrote (Feb 24, 2003):
Thank you for your info on why there is cancer warning label on the back of my Coal Tar Shampoo bottle. I was a little concerned when I saw it. Your website was very helpful.
Thank you for your info on why there is cancer warning label on the back of my Coal Tar Shampoo bottle. I was a little concerned when I saw it. Your website was very helpful.
JCL wrote (July 2, 2003):
I discovered Neutrogena’s T/Derm appeared discontinued, which sent me searching and I found your site. It was a wonderful help to me, and I do want to tell you your efforts are admired and appreciated. Neutrogena answered my email confirming its demise “…T/Derm has been discontinued and is no longer available. It was not selling very well, unfortunately.” No reference to the lawsuit. My last bottle describes it as “5% NewTar® Solubilized Coal Tar Extract” Also, the Dermik Zetar shampoo I’ve used forever lists “1% Whole Coal Tar” if that will help fill in one of your CCT ?-marks. This is strictly anecdotal (me and mom), but soaking in strong tar baths seems to eliminate toenail fungus.
I discovered Neutrogena’s T/Derm appeared discontinued, which sent me searching and I found your site. It was a wonderful help to me, and I do want to tell you your efforts are admired and appreciated. Neutrogena answered my email confirming its demise “…T/Derm has been discontinued and is no longer available. It was not selling very well, unfortunately.” No reference to the lawsuit. My last bottle describes it as “5% NewTar® Solubilized Coal Tar Extract” Also, the Dermik Zetar shampoo I’ve used forever lists “1% Whole Coal Tar” if that will help fill in one of your CCT ?-marks. This is strictly anecdotal (me and mom), but soaking in strong tar baths seems to eliminate toenail fungus.
RH wrote (August 3, 2003):
Hi Dave, Thank you for providing the update info on your web page about GlaxoSmithKline discontinuing the manufacture of Tegrin shampoo with coal tar. I had just wasted about three hours this weekend touring all likely local outlets for Tegrin. When I struck out I decided to hit Google and look for anything about Tegrin. A search for Tegrin and “coal tar” turned up your informative web page. The situation with California’s labeling of topical coal tar products as carcinogenic is abysmal. Because of well meaning intentions of those misguided people in California, I’m now facing trying all other OTC pseudo medicated shampoos. So far I’ve already used an entire bottle of “dandruff shampoo” with 1% pyrithione zinc as the ineffective active ingredient. I’m sure the salicylic acid based “dandruff shampoo” will be equally ineffective. Based on the poor response I’ve had to the pyrithione zinc shampoo, I can only surmise I must have psoriasis and not just simple dandruff. The classic Tegrin shampoo would usually treat my itching scalp with only two washings and keep it clear for months. It certainly wouldn’t require an entire bottle. I can only hope Mr. Gottesfeld has a horrible, maddening scalp itch that he can not get treated by any method, regardless of how much money he’s willing to spend. That would be the singularly most appropriate justice from his lawsuit.
Hi Dave, Thank you for providing the update info on your web page about GlaxoSmithKline discontinuing the manufacture of Tegrin shampoo with coal tar. I had just wasted about three hours this weekend touring all likely local outlets for Tegrin. When I struck out I decided to hit Google and look for anything about Tegrin. A search for Tegrin and “coal tar” turned up your informative web page. The situation with California’s labeling of topical coal tar products as carcinogenic is abysmal. Because of well meaning intentions of those misguided people in California, I’m now facing trying all other OTC pseudo medicated shampoos. So far I’ve already used an entire bottle of “dandruff shampoo” with 1% pyrithione zinc as the ineffective active ingredient. I’m sure the salicylic acid based “dandruff shampoo” will be equally ineffective. Based on the poor response I’ve had to the pyrithione zinc shampoo, I can only surmise I must have psoriasis and not just simple dandruff. The classic Tegrin shampoo would usually treat my itching scalp with only two washings and keep it clear for months. It certainly wouldn’t require an entire bottle. I can only hope Mr. Gottesfeld has a horrible, maddening scalp itch that he can not get treated by any method, regardless of how much money he’s willing to spend. That would be the singularly most appropriate justice from his lawsuit.
JC wrote (August 5, 2003):
I guess I was uninformed about the law suit/Prop 65 initiative against Coal Tar. I would like to thank you for the web site. It contained a lot of information. I have been using Denorex for 20 plus years and couldn’t figure out why they were changing their formula. I do agree that if a product is harmful to people the alarm should be sounded, but everything has the potential to cause harm. Yes, even pure water, when consumed in large enough quantities. I agree with your statement “…Denorex on my local store shelves no longer contains coal tar, and I’m over 2,500 miles away.” I was very angry at first when I noticed, after a half bottle, that the formula had changed. I searched high and low to find bottles with the coal tar solution and they became more and more scarce. I just finished my last bottle a couple of days ago. I have tried several other brands and they just don’t work as good. I think T-Gel comes close. Have you found anything close? Most of the formulas get rid of the flaking but none solve the itching like Denorex did. I just wanted to say thanks for the website and information contained within. It has opened my eyes as to how a few individuals can truly impact the lives of many.
I guess I was uninformed about the law suit/Prop 65 initiative against Coal Tar. I would like to thank you for the web site. It contained a lot of information. I have been using Denorex for 20 plus years and couldn’t figure out why they were changing their formula. I do agree that if a product is harmful to people the alarm should be sounded, but everything has the potential to cause harm. Yes, even pure water, when consumed in large enough quantities. I agree with your statement “…Denorex on my local store shelves no longer contains coal tar, and I’m over 2,500 miles away.” I was very angry at first when I noticed, after a half bottle, that the formula had changed. I searched high and low to find bottles with the coal tar solution and they became more and more scarce. I just finished my last bottle a couple of days ago. I have tried several other brands and they just don’t work as good. I think T-Gel comes close. Have you found anything close? Most of the formulas get rid of the flaking but none solve the itching like Denorex did. I just wanted to say thanks for the website and information contained within. It has opened my eyes as to how a few individuals can truly impact the lives of many.
LT wrote (August 6, 2003):
Dear Dave: Thank you for your article. I have used Tegrin for thirty years, and all of a sudden I cannot find it anywhere. I had no idea of what had happened until I found your article. I am relieved to finally know what has happened, but I am very upset because I depend on Tegrin Skin Cream. I have looked on the Google search engine, as you suggested, but I have had no luck finding any drug stores on line that still sell Tegrin. If you would, please, I would appreciate it very much if you could tell me what drug stores, if any, do still sell Tegrin. If there are no places left, could you tell me if you have found a product that has coal tar that works for you? Thank you so much for your help.
Dear Dave: Thank you for your article. I have used Tegrin for thirty years, and all of a sudden I cannot find it anywhere. I had no idea of what had happened until I found your article. I am relieved to finally know what has happened, but I am very upset because I depend on Tegrin Skin Cream. I have looked on the Google search engine, as you suggested, but I have had no luck finding any drug stores on line that still sell Tegrin. If you would, please, I would appreciate it very much if you could tell me what drug stores, if any, do still sell Tegrin. If there are no places left, could you tell me if you have found a product that has coal tar that works for you? Thank you so much for your help.
Dave Replies: Thanks to all for the notes. For the record, I cannot make suggestions for different coal-tar shampoos or other products. Some people find that Brand X “works best” for them, while some others swear by Brand Y, and another bunch can’t live without Brand Z. There is no such thing as a universal “best” coal tar product. As the above emails hint at, with some people, relieving the itch is the #1 priority, while for others it might be getting rid of a “snowstorm” of flakes. For lots of people, cost is a major concern, while for some it isn’t. Given these and other considerations, finding the right product is a very, very personal quest.
I’ve been using T-Gel (and MG217 ointment) for a while now, but other shampoos have worked just fine for me in the past, as well (like Pentrax or the old Denorex®). I usually go for the highest concentration of coal tar I can find, but a few people have told me that a 2% tar shampoo actually works worse for them than a 1%, so even the type of coal tar solution or other ingredients may play a role in how well a person responds, making the quest that much more difficult.
If you need a replacement for T/Derm, Tegrin®, Zetar, or Denorex®, the only recommendation I can make is to try what’s on your local stores’ shelves first, then talk to your pharmacist about what he/she may stock behind the counter (or can order for you), and if none of those satisfies, try shopping online for other brands, or speaking with your dermatologist (who may have small sample bottles, which could make trying several brands much cheaper).
On a similar note, the best way to find out if there’s anyone still selling your particular favorite which has been discontinued or changed is to contact the manufacturer directly. They usually have toll-free numbers for this purpose. As with JCL’s note, above, if you find out something about a product not yet mentioned here, please go ahead and email me with the news, and I’ll post it either here or on the main coal tar page (or both).
Again, thanks to all who’ve written in about coal tar products.