Wood Tar Mix
What is it?
Wood tar mix is a mixture of tars from pine, beech, juniper, and birch trees.
How do I avoid it?
Wearing gloves will offer some protection when handling wood products. Once sawdust gets inside gloves, they should be washed or replaced. Some patients sensitive to wood tars may also be sensitive to perfumes in toilet soaps and some cosmetics.
Skin contact with wood tar mix is required for it to cause a rash. Discontinuation of exposure to products containing wood tar mix should result in improvement and/or resolution of your dermatitis. By law, all products made in the U.S. for topical use have the ingredients listed either on the product package or the box that contains it, so check the labeling of your skin care products for this ingredient. If there is no information ask your pharmacist or call the company directly. At work, request a Safety Data
Sheet (SDS) to help identify potential sources of exposure.
Uses:
• Cough syrups
• Candy flavoring
• Disinfectants
• Insecticides
• Liquors
• Skin care products
- Shampoo
- Aftershaves
- Deodorants
- Perfume/Colognes/Toilet water
• Pyorrhea and tooth pulp treatments
• Pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter (OTC) medications
• Veterinary liniments
• Wood preservation
• Rope preservation
Other names for wood tar mix:
• Wood vinegar
• Pyroligneous acid
• Pyroligneous acid extract
• Beech tar
• Birch pitch
• Cade oil
• Juniper tar
• Pine tar
Potential cross-reacting/co-reacting substances:
• Balsam of Peru
• Coal tar
