Abstract: A compound of the general formula (I): Q--R--X wherein Q is a substituted or unsubstituted furanyl, imidazolyl, pyrrolyl or thiopheneyl group, R is CR.sup.1.sub.2 --Cr.sup.2.sub.2, (cis)CR.sup.1 .dbd.CR.sup.2, or (trans)-CR.sup.1 .dbd.CR.sup.2, X is COOR.sup.3 or NR.sup.1 R.sup.4, and R.sup.1 -R.sup.4 are each, independently, H, an alkyl or an aryl group and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are described for use in topical treatments of skin conditions which involve an overactive immune response, or which are responsive to UV irradiation. Pharmaceutical compositions of the compound of general formula (I) are also described.

Abstract: An emollient composition, for use in a method of treating a psoriasis in which abnormal skin is exposed to actinic or ultraviolet radiation, comprising a lipophilic emollient, wherein the composition is a non-viscous liquid which, on application to skin or a like surface, spreads to provide a substantially uniform coating of the lipophilic emollient, and wherein the coating does not absorb a significant amount of the incident actinic or ultraviolet radiation and is sufficiently non-volatile to persist for a period of sufficient length, for a therapeutically effective dose of incident radiation to be administered.