Coal Tar (also known as Tar, Coal, Estar): A by-product of the destructive distillation of coal used as a topical antieczematic. It is an antipruritic and keratoplastic agent used also in the treatment of psoriasis and other skin conditions. Occupational exposure to soots, tars, and certain mineral oils is known to be

NIH MeSH · D003033Chemicals and Drugs

Coal Tar

Also known asTar, Coal · Estar · Clinitar

Definition

A by-product of the destructive distillation of coal used as a topical antieczematic. It is an antipruritic and keratoplastic agent used also in the treatment of psoriasis and other skin conditions. Occupational exposure to soots, tars, and certain mineral oils is known to be carcinogenic according to the Fourth Annual Report on Carcinogens (NTP 85-002, 1985) (Merck Index, 11th ed).

MeSH classification

  • D20.749.354

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Common questions about Coal Tar

What does Coal Tar mean in medicine?
A by-product of the destructive distillation of coal used as a topical antieczematic. It is an antipruritic and keratoplastic agent used also in the treatment of psoriasis and other skin conditions. Occupational exposure to soots, tars, and certain mineral oils is known to be carcinogenic according to the Fourth Annual Report on Carcinogens (NTP 85-002, 1985) (Merck Index, 11th ed). This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.
Is Coal Tar known by any other names?
Yes. Coal Tar is also referred to as Tar, Coal, Estar, Clinitar in different clinical, research and patient-facing contexts. The MeSH descriptor groups all of these synonyms under a single canonical concept so research and records stay consistent.
Where does Coal Tar sit in the medical classification?
Coal Tar falls under the broader medical category "Chemicals and Drugs" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: D20.749.354). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.
Where can I get a plain-language explanation of Coal Tar?
For a plain-language explanation of Coal Tar - including symptoms, treatments and what it means for an Indian patient - ask GoDavaii's Health AI. It works in 22+ Indian languages, is free and needs no signup. Tap "Ask GoDavaii AI about Coal Tar" above.

Source: NIH MeSH 2026 (D003033) — National Library of Medicine, public domain. View official MeSH record ↗