The external treatment of psoriasis. A controlled investigation of the effects of dithranol.

Abstract

SUMMARY.— From extensive paired comparison studies the following conclusions about the effect of dithranol in the treatment of psoriasis have been drawn: Dithranol in a gradually rising percentage in the “Utrecht vehicle” is better than 10% pix lithanthracis in zinc paste; 0·2% dithranol in the “Utrecht vehicle” seems generally to be of about equal therapeutic value as 10% pix lithanthracis in zinc paste, but it is probable that the dithranol is better for some patients and the pix lithanthracis for others in the percentages and vehicles used; dithranol in a gradually rising percentage in the “Utrecht vehicle” is better than 0·2% dithranol in this vehicle; 1% dithranol in the “Utrecht vehicle” is better than 0·2% dithranol in the same vehicle; the “Ingram method” of using dithranol is better than the “Utrecht method”; the use of talcum powder and a stockinette suit is not an essential part of the “Ingram method”, at least during treatment in hospital; the use of the combination of a coal tar bath and u.v. irradiation is not an essential part of the “Ingram method”.