Zinc Therapy in Dermatology: A Review and Update

Abstract

Zinc is a micronutrient used over the years for many dermatological conditions such as infections, inflammatory dermatoses, pigmentary disorders, neoplasias, etc. It is used in both elemental as well as salt form, either in topical or in oral form as a therapy. An average adult weighing 70 kg has a body zinc content of 1.4–2.3 gm. The role of zinc in deficiency disorders like acrodermatitis enteropathica is already established and used widely as treatment. Zinc has been identified as effective in the treatment of various disorders, but it cannot be used as the replacement for proven first-line treatment. Zinc can be used as an adjuvant therapy in many dermatological disorders. This is a narrative review where the various uses of zinc as therapy in dermatological disorders is highlighted.