Zinc Therapy In Dermatology
Zinc, elemental or in its various forms , has been used as a therapeutic modality for centuries. Topical preparations like zinc oxide, calamine, or zinc pyrithione have been in use as photoprotecting, soothing agents or as active ingredient of antidandruff shampoos. Its use has also expanded manifold over the years for a number of dermatological conditions including infections , inflammatory dermatoses , pigmentary disorders , and neoplasias . Although the role of oral zinc is well-established in human zinc deficiency syndromes including acrodermatitis enteropathica, it is only in recent years that importance of zinc as a micronutrient essential for infant growth and development has been recognized. We review here various therapeutic uses of both topical and oral zinc in dermatology clinical practice .
Perfect Your Plucking And Waxing
For the same reasons that Sudocrem is effective in reducing scars and stopping chafing, its the perfect product to use after plucking eyebrows.
After plucking eyebrows, the skin can be red and sore. Two of Sudocrems key ingredients, lanolin and zinc oxide, work together to soothe the skin and calm the redness in the area. This, however, is likely to go away on its own after a couple of minutes so topical application of Sudocrem isnt really necessary for most people.
It is a product that people use widely after waxing though, as the antiseptic properties in the products third key ingredient benzyl alcohol work to reduce the burning feeling. The lanolin combats soreness and keeps moisture inside the skin, restoring it to a healthier appearance after the wax.
Things That May Make Atopic Dermatitis Worse
If you have atopic dermatitisthe most common type of eczemayou can have inflamed patches of skin that are so super itchy, they keep you up at night . The cause? An abnormal immune reaction that changes the skin’s structure and function making it itchy and vulnerable to irritants. While this type of eczema runs in families with asthma and allergies, it isn’t an allergic reaction.
Even though there are treatments, this type of eczema can subside and flare-up over and over againand certain things can make it worse. Natalie Zill, a Ventura, Calif., salesperson, struggles daily to manage her symptoms. The 24-year-old used a popular facial moisturizer every day for a while until her eczema returned three years ago.
There was one day I put it on and my whole face was on fire, she said. I really have to make sure, especially for my face, what ingredients are in the lotions.
Here are a few of the common culprits that can exacerbate symptoms and tips for avoiding skin irritants.
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Does Cetaphil Have Salicylic Acid
The gentle yet effective formula is designed for skin that is prone to being prone to being prone to being prone to being prone to being prone to being prone to being prone to being prone to being prone to being prone to being prone to being prone to being prone to being prone to being prone to The dermatologist tested all of the products to be gentle and non-irritating.
Zinc Physiology And Zinc Deficiency States

It will be prudent to revisit the physiological aspects of zinc metabolism before discussing zinc deficiency states. Briefly, an average adult weighing 70kg has a body zinc content of 1.42.3gm, the highest tissue concentration being in the prostate, seminal fluid, uveal tissue, and skin. While about half of the total body zinc is in the bones, the skin contains nearly 6% of total body zinc. As movement of zinc across various tissues is limited and there is no storage depot, the continuous external supply of zinc is important for metabolic needs, growth, and tissue repair. The recommended daily allowance of zinc for an average adult male is 11mg and the requirement increases from 8mg/d to up to 12mg/d in females during pregnancy and lactation. Animal foods like meat, eggs, fish, and oysters are rich in zinc. Although cereals and legumes contain moderate amount of zinc, only 2040% of the ingested metal is absorbed. Its absorption is hampered by the presence of phytates, calcium, and phosphates while chelating agents like EDTA and animal proteins increase its absorption from gut. Zinc is mainly absorbed from proximal jejunum and distal duodenum and is perhaps facilitated by the presence of low molecular weight zinc binding ligands. It is excreted mainly through feces and in small amounts in urine and sweat.
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Is Zinc Oxide Safe For Kids
Children, even babies, can get eczema and other skin rashes. Many products that are available to soothe the skin of infants and kids contain zinc oxide. One of the most well-known is diaper rash cream. Zinc is also a common ingredient in sunscreens that are recommended for use in babies and children.
Natural Zinc Oxide Eczema Treatments
Our Remedywear garments are made with soothing TENCEL and embedded with antibacterial Zinc Oxide. This unique combination of fibers is proven to reduce the severity of atopic dermatitis, reduce itchiness and improve quality of sleep when worn overnight for three consecutive nights.
Our Remedywear clothing is embedded with zinc oxide to help bacterial growth, block odor and soothe skin. Because its embedded and not encapsulated or applied as a finish, it is 100% safe to use, even on babies and children, and doesnt wash off even after 100 plus washings.
Here are some of our favorite Remedywear products for treating eczema, psoriasis, and sensitive skin:
Remedywear 3 Ply Face Maska washable mask perfect for those with sensitive facial skin. Its soft, breathable, and cooling. Thanks to the antibacterial and antimicrobial zinc fibers, it helps fight germs and bacterial growth that can build up on both the inside and outside of the mask. Snug yet comfortable, it can be worn for hours at time without causing chafing or facial irritation.
Remedywear Long Sleeve Shirtavailable for adults and kids, this protective shirt offers a gentle layer of protection for the arms, chest, stomach, and back. The lightweight fabric makes it easy to layer underneath regular clothing during the day without any added bulk. We also recommend wearing alone as pajamas to boost the healing process.
References:
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Is Sudocrem Good For Your Face
Sudocrem is used to as a topical application for a variety of skin conditions, including those that commonly appear on the face such as acne.
Its good for your face in the sense that it can work to stop swelling and inflammation, especially in cystic acne for example. But its ingredients may not work for everyone as Sudocrem can also dry out skin. If you have particularly sensitive skin, whether as an adult or child, then an alternative acne-treatment might be more suitable.
Mineral Sunscreens For Sensitive Skin In Adults
Adults with sensitive skin are often confused about selecting appropriate skin care products to add into their daily skincare routine. While they want to protect their skin with sunscreen, they dont want to cause further irritation.
Sensitive skin experts recommend mineral sunscreens that contain zinc oxide and deliver Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB protection with an SPF of 30 or higher. Zinc oxide remains at the surface of the skin and therefore these products do not generally cause reactions, making them ideal for patients with sensitive skin.
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Options In Prevention And Treatment Of Facial Eczema
B+LNZs Senior Biosecurity Advisor Will Halliday, says zinc binds to the fungal toxin Sporidesmin in the animals rumen, rendering the toxin inactive. So, while zinc doesnt stop animals ingesting the toxin, it does stop the symptoms of Facial Eczema developing.
Will says sheep farmers have two options to get the zinc into the animal. The first is zinc oxide powder which can be mixed with water and used to drench sheep either weekly or fortnightly.
This is time consuming and can put sheep at risk of developing pneumonia by frequently running them in and out of hot, dusty yards.
The second option is a slow-release capsule, which is essentially a bolus of zinc. The capsule provides protection from FE for up to six weeks.
Will says ideally, the capsule should be administered one or two weeks before a risk period, which can be difficult to predict.
It relies on people keeping a very close eye on spore counts within their district and talking to vets or other relevant professionals.
He says as a rule of thumb, if its warm enough at night to be kicking blankets off the bed yet there is dew on your windscreen in the morning, then conditions are perfect for FE.
Sheep dont drink enough water to make trough treatment with zinc an option, but this is option for cattle.
Will says FE is typically more of a problem in dairy cattle, but it can be seen in young beef animals.
Facing up to Facial Ezcema can be downloaded at
Using Zinc Oxide For Eczema May Alleviate Dry Itchy Skin And May Reduce Discomfort Heres Everything To Know About Zinc Oxide Creams And Ointments Eczema Is A Condition In Which The Skin Becomes Red Irritated Itchy And Blistered While There Is No Cure For Eczema There Are Treatments Available That Can Help Ease Discomfort Reduce Inflammation And Restore
Eczema is a condition in which the skin becomes red, irritated, itchy, and blistered. While there is no cure for eczema, there are treatments available that can help ease discomfort, reduce inflammation, and restore skin to normal conditions.
One at-home treatment option for eczema is zinc oxide. Zinc is known for its ability to soothe and prevent skin irritation, meaning it may help some people with skin conditions such as eczema.
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Prevention Of Photodamage And Skin Cancers
Zinc oxide is widely used as a broad spectrum physical sunscreen. Its advantage lies in its low cost and an excellent safety profile. It has been used alone and in combination with other physical or chemical sunscreen agents. Recently microfine and nano-sized zinc oxide has become available which provides better cosmetic appeal and photoprotection than traditional zinc oxide preparations. Zinc oxide provides protection against UV-A1 superior to titanium oxide providing better spectrum protection .
Zinc Oxide May Provide Relief For Facemask Irritation

Zinc oxide topical ointment commonly used to treat conditions like diaper rash or eczema may be the best way to provide relief from irritation caused by wearing facemasks, according to researchers from the Department of Dermatology at Penn State College of Medicine. They conducted a study to evaluate products for their ability to prevent skin irritation behind the ears of health care workers, who wear masks for multiple hours at a time.
Dr. Alexandra Flamm, assistant professor of dermatology and pathology and laboratory medicine, recruited 15 staff members from Penn State Health Dermatology to participate in a clinical study that evaluated the use of three different interventions to prevent the discomfort of skin behind the ears that can result from prolonged mask use.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, routine use of surgical loop facemasks became common among health care workers and members of the population at large, Flamm said. Prolonged use can lead to acne, itching, rash or breakdown of skin behind the ears. Our goal was to see which products, if any, could alleviate or prevent some of these effects.
Those who completed the surveys reported any adverse effects they experienced while wearing their masks. The researchers found that pain, itching and rash occurred in some of the intervention groups but that those in the zinc oxide group reported no adverse effects.
Ryan Svoboda and Yesul Kim of Penn State College of Medicine also contributed to this study.
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Can You Use Zinc Cream For Eczema
Some research seems to point to the conclusion that zinc may help with the symptoms of eczema. Zinc has anti-inflammatory properties and increases the resurfacing of a skin wound with new epithelium. Also, zinc oxide paste has long been used as a soothing and anti-itch agent for the treatment of diaper rash.
What Does The Research Say
- According to a 2014 review, when zinc sulfate was added to clobetasol cream, it showed a statistically significant improvement over the cream without zinc sulfate for people with chronic hand eczema. The researchers also indicated that with its strong antibacterial and antioxidant action, topical zinc oxide has also been used in treating atopic dermatitis.
- A 2016 study concluded that zinc deficiency and atopic dermatitis share many features but felt that further studies were needed to determine a possible cause-and-effect relationship.
- A 2013 study using zinc oxide impregnated textiles demonstrated that people with atopic dermatitis who used the textiles showed significant improvement in the disease severity, itchiness, and subjective sleep than those not using the textiles.
Talk with your doctor or dermatologist to see if zinc could be used to treat your eczema.
Eczema can be incredibly itchy. One home remedy for dealing with eczema itch is calamine lotion. One of the primary ingredients in calamine lotion is zinc oxide.
Research indicates that zinc is a useful treatment option for itch because it inhibits mast cell degranulation, reducing the secretion of histamine which can contribute to itch.
Whether or not you have sensitive skin, all skin products can potentially cause side effects.
If youve selected a new product containing zinc to try for your eczema, consider doing a patch test to identify any possible allergic reactions.
To do a patch test:
Symptoms can include:
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Zinc Oxide Helps You Heal Faster
A 2007 study shows that the topical application of zinc oxide may be the single most effective agent for aiding the healing of cuts and other wounds. It may be more effective than oral antibiotics or analgesics for preventing infection, and it naturally speeds up wound closure. The ointment can be applied directly to the skin, or by applying bandages with zinc oxide. The mineral also helps with the growth of healthy new skin over the incision.
Eltamd Skincare Uv Aero Sunscreen Broad
This spray-on sunscreen works at any angle, and boasts a zinc-based formula that provides up to 80 minutes of water-resistant coverage. Its oil-free formula works to rehydrate and gently nourish skin while strengthening its natural moisture barrier. Dermatologist-recommended, it goes on white, but dries clear so that you can easily see any spots you may have missed.
$34.50, Dermstore.com
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Zinc Oxide For Eczema: Understanding The Benefits
Zinc Oxide for Eczema Itch
Zinc oxide is medically recommended as an excellent anti-inflammatory treatment for irritated skin conditions including diaper rash, poison ivy and clinical research has also confirmed using zinc oxide for treating eczema to calm the itch and soothe the skin. Non-allergenic, zinc oxide is a mild astringent and offers antiseptic benefits.
Zinc Oxide is the most effective active ingredient indiaper rash creams like Desitin and anti-itch calamine cream and high-quality sunscreens. You will also find a zinc oxide derivative in a complex compound – zinc pyrithione – for treating dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis .Research studies and clinical trials by Mrinal Gupta and a team of research colleagues have also revealed the potential benefits and effectiveness of using Zinc Oxide to treat atopic dermatitis /eczema and psoriasis by providing relief from the burning skin sensation, control the itch and stop the spread of potential infections.
Clinical research has also shown that zinc oxide provides relief from the following skin disorders and illnesses: rosacea, varicella-zoster virus – chickenpox and shingles, pigmentary disorders, neoplasias, and certain viruses like some warts.
Lets take a look at what zinc oxide is and how it can provide relief specifically from eczema.
Zinc Oxide: What Is The Best Fabric For Eczema
Dermatologist recommended Soothems Eczema sleepwear and Psoriasis clothing are FDA registered, class 1 medical device, exempt status for adults and eczema suffering children are made from a proprietary fabric called TEWLTect®.
SOOTHEMS® has been developed as a therapeutic treatment to help people with particularly sensitive skin, such as those suffering from Atopic Dermatitis/Eczema, Psoriasis, Neurodermatitis, Xerosis and other skin allergies.
SOOTHEMS® are made from a proprietary smart fabric calledTEWLTect®, a blend of high performance sustainable cellulosic polymer fibers enhanced with completely safe, non-allergenic biopolymer called Chitosan and Zinc Oxide. The beneficial properties of TEWLTect® Skin Smart fabric provide a positive, soothing effect that reduces itchiness and helps preserve moisture levels on the skin. When the skin naturally releases moisture, there is an active exchange between human skin and the unique properties of TENCEL lyocell fibers with Chitosan, TANBOOCEL® viscose made from bamboo pulp fibers and the zinc oxide that encapsulates the fabric:
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Zinc Oxide For Eczema
It is one of the most effective, mild fragrant ingredients, used in treatment creams for diaper rash, poison ivy, and eczema. It is often used in sunscreens to protect the skin against sunburns and rashes due to sun rays and sweat.
You would also see dermatologists recommending zinc oxide hair treatment for seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff.
Clinical trials were run to measure the potential benefits of zinc oxide for eczema. The scientists found out that it stops the spread of infection, controls itching, and stops the burning sensation. Moreover, zinc oxide is also useful in treating psoriasis.
Other than that, zinc oxide is often used to treat:
- Shingles
What is zinc oxide for eczema?
It is made from the derivative of zinc a natural metallic compound that is also found in the human body in small concentrations. Zinc is an important element when it comes to human growth.
Moreover, the daily intake of zinc oxide protects against the common cold and even stops the spread of viruses in the body. However, restricted doses of zinc oxide are incorporated in the diet of patients by doctors because the tiniest dose can bring many benefits to us.
Besides the use of zinc oxide for eczema treatment and other medical applications, this compound is also used for commercial and industrial applications. For example, zinc oxide is also used in electronic appliances.
However, there are no side effects of applying zinc oxide topically for treating eczema.
Heals the skin