Reduction of anthralin inflammation by potassium hydroxide and Teepol.

Application of 1% potassium hydroxide (KOH) reduced subsequent development of anthralin inflammation without loss of its therapeutic effect on psoriasis. Teepol had a similar but smaller effect on subsequent development of inflammation. The action of KOH appears to have resulted from enhanced oxidation of anthralin to inactive products and the action of Teepol to have increased anthralin solubility and removal. The effect of KOH and Teepol decreased with time after anthralin application and both were ineffective by 24 h, indicating that anthralin persists on the skin in an active form for up to 24 h after a single application. The reduction of anthralin inflammation without loss of therapeutic effect is potentially useful in short contact anthralin therapy.