Dithranol

Dithranol is a very effective product for the treatment of psoriasis that has been in use for around one hundred years, although it is not widely used in France in spite of an absence of serious undesirable effects. It holds only a minor place in the choice of topical treatments after calcipotriol and topical corticosteroid therapy. The reasons for this product being used less often are that it causes side effects, the main ones being irritation and brownish discolouration, and it is difficult to apply. Recommendations from experts published in 2012 state that dithranol must no longer be used in day-to-day practice [1].