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 disorder 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 adjuvant therapy in many dermatological disorders. This is a narrative review where various use of zinc as therapy in dermatological disorders is highlighted.
Highlights
Zinc(Zn) is an essential micronutrient for humans and its importance can be highlighted from the fact that it is an essential component of more than 300 metalloenzymes and over 2000 transcription factors that are needed for the regulation of lipid, protein and nucleic acid metabolism, and gene transcription.[1]
Alopecias: Lower serum zinc levels in patients with AA compared to controls have been identified.[44]
Zinc has been used as therapeutic modalities in various dermatological disorders
Summary
Zinc(Zn) is an essential micronutrient for humans and its importance can be highlighted from the fact that it is an essential component of more than 300 metalloenzymes and over 2000 transcription factors that are needed for the regulation of lipid, protein and nucleic acid metabolism, and gene transcription.[1] Its role in biology can be grouped into three general functional classes, namely catalytic, structural and regulatory functions.[2] An average adult weighing 70 kg has a body zinc content of 1.4–2.3 gm. The recommended daily allowance of zinc for an average adult male is mg and the requirement increases from 8 mg/d to up to mg/d in females during pregnancy and lactation. It is absorbed from the proximal jejunum and distal duodenum and helped by the presence of zinc binding ligands. It is excreted mainly through feces and in small amounts in urine and sweat.[3]
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