Other topical therapies (dyes, tanning agents, tars, CO2)

Abstract

Dyes can be used as antiseptic agents in superinfected dermatoses. The adjuvant use in occupational eczema maybe helpful.Tanning agents enhance therapeutic options of eczema. Tars and shale oils are useful for therapy of dermatitis especially in order to spare local corticoids and to avoid their side effects.CO2-enriched water is able to invigorate the skin barrier and can possibly support the prevention and therapy of occupational dermatoses. For most of these therapeutic options, no randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies exist and only limited evidence-based findings on their therapeutic effects and mode of action do exist. This is surprising as they are widely used in a number of countries. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2000, 2012.