Zinc in dermatology

Tamara Searle, Faisal R. Ali, Firas Al-Niaimi*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Zinc has numerous pharmacological uses in dermatology. Its antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties are thought to correlate with its efficacy in acne vulgaris and leishmaniasis, amongst other cutaneous conditions. We conducted a review of the literature on the use of zinc in dermatology; in particular, we investigated its role in acne vulgaris, hair loss, hidradenitis suppurativa, leishmaniasis, and warts. We searched MEDLINE selecting only articles in English and evaluating the evidence using the Oxford Center of Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 guidance. This review has found evidence to support the use of zinc in patients in infectious conditions (leishmaniasis and warts), inflammatory conditions (acne rosacea, hidradenitis suppurativa) and in hair loss disorders.Ppatients with zinc deficiency should also receive oral supplementation. Further research and large randomized controlled trials are required to investigate the role of zinc as a monotherapy.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Dermatological Treatment
Volume33
Issue number5
Pages (from-to)2455-2458
Number of pages4
ISSN0954-6634
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2022

Keywords

  • Acne vulgaris
  • hair loss
  • hidradenitis suppurativa
  • leishmaniasis
  • warts
  • zinc
  • Dermatology
  • Hidradenitis Suppurativa/drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Warts
  • Zinc/therapeutic use
  • Alopecia
  • Acne Vulgaris/drug therapy
  • Organic Chemicals/therapeutic use

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