Goeckerman therapy for the treatment of eczema: a practical guide and review of efficacy

Abstract

The Goeckerman regimen, consisting of the application of crude coal tar combined with exposure to ultraviolet radiation, was formulated in 1925 for the treatment of psoriasis. While some centers have adapted the Goeckerman regimen for the treatment of eczema, there are no published reports of its efficacy in this condition. Here, we explain how the Goeckerman regimen has been modified for use in an eczema population at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). We reviewed the treatment records of eczema patients treated with the modified Goeckerman regimen over a 6-year period at UCSF. We found that the Goeckerman regimen was effective in treating patients with severe baseline disease, inducing a mean remission period of 7.2 months. The treatment was tolerated well with mild folliculitis and occasional ultraviolet B phototoxicity noted as the only adverse reactions. Since the use of Goeckerman as a treatment for severe eczema is both effective and safe, it should be considered an excellent alternative or adjunct to the systemic therapies currently being used.

Key words::

• Goeckerman
• crude coal tar
• phototherapy
• eczema

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.