Psoriasis is a common, yet unpleasant, skin disorder that affects about 2% of the population in the United States. One of the most common forms of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis, which is characterized by  inflammation and red skin that is covered with silvery scales that generally appear in oval patches and exhibit itching and burning.  Traditional methods of treating psoriasis have included treating the skin topically with coal tar, which is effective in treatment. Although it is efficacious and lacks the potential adverse effects of topical corticosteroids, it has an unpleasant odor and can stain skin, fabrics, and other objects. Additional drawbacks can include irritation, folliculitis, and phototoxicity.  Liquor carbonis detergens (LCD) solution is a less potent tar mixed in white petrolatum (for the body) up to 10% or in oil (Nivea) (for the scalp) with a concentration of up to 20%. LCD is more tolerable with less staining and is show to be effective in treating psoriasis.

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Efficacy of topical 5% liquor carbonis detergens vs. its emollient base in the treatment of psoriasis.
Kanzler MH, Gorsulowsky DC.
Division of Dermatology, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, CA 95128.

Tar has been a mainstay in the treatment of psoriasis for centuries, but despite its widespread use, there is little evidence supporting its clinical efficacy without the combined use of ultraviolet radiation. The purpose of this study was to compare psoriasis improvement rates in patients using 5% liquor carbonis detergens (LCD) in an emollient base with the emollient base alone. Eighteen patients completed a randomized, bilaterally controlled, double-blind study. Emollient-treated plaques showed a mean improvement of 35.3% by 4 weeks of treatment, and LCD therapy produced a mean improvement of 48.7%, a difference which was statistically significant.

Source: PMID: 8286230 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]; The British Journal of Dermatology. 1993 Sept;129(3):310-4