Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Providing first aid for tar on the skin
• Part 2 of 4: Remove tar from your skin with ice
• Part 3 of 4: Using household resources
• Part 4 of 4: Remove tar and stains by exfoliating them

Getting tar on your skin can be very annoying and painful. You may think that you can only get tar on your skin when you are working in construction or doing odd jobs at home. However, you can also get tar on your skin when you, for example, walk on the beach. Tar is very sticky, which can make it difficult to remove from the skin. In some cases, tar can burn your skin and cause other injuries that require medical attention. You can get tar off your skin by providing first aid, treating the area with ice, and then removing the residue and blemishes from your skin.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Providing first aid for tar on the skin

1. Immediately run cold water over the tar. Hold the tar-covered skin under cold water. Take a cold shower if larger areas of the skin are covered with tar. Keep the tar-covered skin in the water or under the tap for at least 20 minutes. This way, you can stop the tar from burning the skin while determining if you need immediate medical attention or can remove the tar yourself at home.
   • Do not treat tar-covered skin with very cold water or ice until you determine the correct approach.
2. Get immediate medical attention. Tar can burn your skin and damage the skin underneath, although this is rare. Seeing a doctor ensures that burns and other skin damage caused by tar are treated appropriately. Your pain and discomfort will be soothed and your skin will be able to heal optimally. Get immediate medical attention if:
   • The tar feels hot even after you run the spot under cold water
   • It feels like the tar is burning your skin
   • The tar covers much of your skin or body
   • The tar is near or in your eyes
3. Remove clothing and jewelry from affected skin. Remove all clothes and remove any substances covering the tar-covered skin. This allows the heat to dissipate even further and you can limit and soothe burns, damage and other discomfort. To avoid further damage, do not peel off clothes and other objects stuck to the skin. If you are unable to remove the item of clothing in question, seek immediate medical attention.
4. Don't pick on the tar. Do not pick on the tar with your fingers until it has cooled completely on the skin. Letting the tar cool completely before removing it will reduce the chance of damaging the skin underneath and help the area to heal properly.

Part 2 of 4: Remove tar from your skin with ice

1. Make the tar hard with ice. Rub the tar-covered skin with an ice cube or ice bag. Keep rubbing until the tar hardens or cracks. This will allow you to pick the tar off your skin more easily, treat damage and remove stains.
   • If your skin gets too cold, take the ice off and let the tar sit for a few minutes. Your skin will not freeze like this.
2. Pick the hardened and cracked tar from the skin. Use gentle pulling movements and pry away any cooled tar from your skin.If the tar cracks, keep pulling small pieces off until you've removed everything. Picking off the tar can hurt and cause discomfort by pulling out tiny hairs that are stuck to the tar. If removing the tar is too painful, get medical attention to reduce the risk of skin damage.
   • Re-harden the tar with ice when it softens from your body heat.
3. Wash your skin. If you can remove the tar, clean your skin with a mild soap. Spread the soap on the affected area with gentle circular movements. Then rinse your skin with clean warm water. This will help remove residues and small pieces of tar. It can also help remove bacteria and germs that can infect your injured skin.

Part 3 of 4: Using household resources

1. Apply a polysorbate cream to the area. Spread a greasy cream on the tar-covered skin. Let it soak in the tar and your skin for a few minutes, then wipe it off with a clean cloth or rinse with warm water. This may be the most effective and safest way to remove tar. Such a product breaks down tar, is non-toxic, hurts less and does less damage to your skin.
2. Spread mayonnaise on the spot. Spread a thick layer of mayonnaise on the cooled tar. Let the mayonnaise soak into your skin for at least half an hour to allow the tar to break down. Then gently wipe the mayonnaise and tar from your skin with a clean cloth or soft brush. Then clean your skin to remove residue, stains and bacteria.
3. Coat the tar-covered area with household oil. Search your pantry for different types of oil that you eat or put on your skin. Pour a generous amount of the oil of your choice onto the tar and surrounding skin. Let the oil soak in the tar for 20 minutes. Pick and then gently scrape the tar from your skin. Wash and wipe off excess oil and tar with mild soap, clean water, and a soft cloth. The following household oils can remove tar from your skin:
   • Safflower oil, which can work particularly well
   • Butter
   • Baby oil
   • Rapeseed oil
   • Coconut oil
   • Olive oil
4. Cover the tar with petroleum jelly. Spread a layer of petroleum jelly on your tar-covered skin and the surrounding area. Wait five minutes for the petroleum jelly to soak into the tar. Gently wipe off the excess petroleum jelly and tar from your skin. Then wash and rinse your skin to remove tar residue and stains.
   • If you still have tar and blemishes on your skin, reapply petroleum jelly.
5. Do not use toxic chemicals. You may be given suggestions for using household products such as nail polish remover to get the tar off your skin. However, don't use agents that can be toxic because your skin can absorb them and they can be bad for your health. Do not use the following to remove tar from your skin:
   • Alcohol
   • Acetone
   • Nail polish remover
   • Kerosene
   • Ether
   • Gasoline
   • Aldehyde

Part 4 of 4: Remove tar and stains by exfoliating them

1. Remove stains with a scrub brush. Tar can stain your skin after removal. Gently scrubbing your skin can remove tar and stains. Gently brush over stains and tar residue with a clean washcloth or soft scrub brush. Then wash your skin and rinse with warm water.
   • Scrub your skin again if necessary.
2. Remove stains with a pumice stone. Make gentle circular movements and rub tar residues and stains with a pumice stone. You can also use a mild soap if you want. Then rinse the area with warm water and pat it dry with a clean towel. This way you can easily and effectively remove the last tar residues and stains from your skin.
3. Apply an exfoliator. If the tar and stains on your skin are particularly difficult to remove, apply an exfoliating scrub to your skin. You can buy a remedy in the store or make your own. Spread a layer of the scrub of your choice on the area with tar residue and stains. Rub the product gently into your skin until the residue and blemishes are gone. Some resources that you can easily make and use at home are:
   • Baking soda
   • A paste of sugar and olive or coconut oil
   • A paste of salt and almond oil
   • A paste of finely ground oatmeal and honey
4. Visit a doctor. You may not be able to get the tar off your skin or you may have very sensitive skin after removal. If so, make an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor can diagnose potential problems, remove tar and stains, and treat your skin appropriately. Get medical help if:
   • You are unable to remove the tar
   • There are still spots on your skin
   • Pain and discomfort continue to bother you
   • You can see that the skin that has been exposed to the tar has been injured and damaged