Naftalan ointment vs baths and why they are not the same

Crude and refined Naftalan

Crude Naftalan is the natural heavy oil extracted near the town of Naftalan in western Azerbaijan, the historic home of this therapy. Besides naphthenic hydrocarbons, which are thought to be linked to its effects, it contains polycyclic aromatic compounds, some of which are potentially harmful. Because of this, its use is limited in time and kept under medical control.

Refined Naftalan is produced by removing resins and many of these substances, a process known as deresining. The refined substance is used as an ingredient in pharmacy preparations. Its composition is more predictable, but it is still a medicinal substance rather than a cosmetic, and its use should be agreed with a doctor.

Naftalan ointment, cream and liniment

Pharmacy products with Naftalan come as ointments, creams and liniments. They contain refined Naftalan in a set concentration and are intended for local use on limited areas of skin or over painful joints. In some countries they are registered medicines, so they come with a leaflet listing indications, contraindications and possible side effects. It is worth reading the leaflet in full before use.

Many people search for Naftalan ointment for psoriasis. A dermatologist may include such a product in a treatment plan for limited plaques, but the choice depends on the type and extent of the disease and on other medicines used. Ointments should be used only on the advice of a doctor and according to the leaflet, and not on broken skin or during a marked flare unless the doctor decides otherwise.

Naftalan baths and applications at the resort

At the resort, crude Naftalan is used in warm baths at about 36 to 38 °C, lasting a few minutes, and in local applications to the joints, the spine or the skin. The resort physician examines the patient first and sets the temperature, the duration and the number of procedures, taking into account the diagnosis and any other conditions.

A course usually includes about 10 to 14 baths, often alternating with rest days, so a stay commonly lasts about two to three weeks. After each procedure the oil is removed from the skin, and the patient rests. Baths are combined with physiotherapy, massage and therapeutic exercise as part of a wider programme. The physician sets the exact number of procedures after the examination and may change it during the course.

Why one is not a replacement for the other

An ointment acts on a small area, while a bath covers a large part of the body and takes place together with other procedures and medical supervision. A tube of ointment at home cannot reproduce a resort course, and a resort course does not replace the daily skin care and medicines prescribed by your own doctor.

For many patients the two approaches simply serve different purposes. An ointment may be part of everyday treatment for a few plaques or a painful joint, if the doctor agrees. A resort course is a concentrated programme that some patients with stable chronic conditions choose from time to time, and its results vary from person to person. The choice between them depends on the diagnosis and on medical advice.

Safety comes first

Interest in Naftalan has led to many offers of oil for home use. Crude Naftalan contains substances that require careful dosing, so self treatment with it carries real risks. A few simple rules help avoid problems, and they apply to everyone, including people who have already completed a course at the resort.

If you are wondering where to buy Naftalan, it is worth first asking a dermatologist or another specialist whether you need it at all and in what form. The doctor can also check for contraindications, which matter for ointments as well as for baths. Advice from the internet or from friends is not a reliable guide, because every person has a different diagnosis and different contraindications.

• Do not try home baths with crude Naftalan oil.
• Do not buy unlabelled oil or oil without clear information on its origin and composition.
• Use pharmacy ointments, creams and liniments only on the advice of a doctor and follow the leaflet.
• Keep Naftalan products away from the eyes and out of the reach of children.
• Stop using a product and see a doctor if redness, itching or a rash appear.

Questions to discuss with your doctor

Whether you are thinking about an ointment or a resort course, a short conversation with your doctor helps you choose sensibly. It is useful to ask whether Naftalan fits your diagnosis, which form makes sense in your case, how it combines with your current medicines and what signs should make you stop and seek advice.

It is also worth discussing realistic expectations. Naftalan is a traditional method with limited scientific evidence, and the effect differs from person to person. Your doctor knows your history and can help you decide whether to try a local product, plan a resort course or continue with your current treatment alone.

When a resort course may make sense

A resort course may be worth considering if you have a chronic condition such as plaque psoriasis, joint pain or back pain in a stable phase, and your doctor sees no contraindications. A severe or widespread flare of psoriasis is usually treated first at home, and the trip is planned once the condition has settled. It also helps to think about the season, as summers in the Naftalan area are hot.

Before deciding, it helps to gather recent medical reports and a list of medicines. MedAzerbaijan can review your documents with the resort physicians, prepare a written cost estimate and arrange the trip, while every medical decision is made by the doctors after examination. This way you know in advance whether a course suits you and can choose convenient dates.

Frequently asked questions