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Zinc & Psoriasis

Aug 6, 2010 | By Shelley Moore

People have used zinc for thousands of years to treat skin conditions, but research results are mixed, according to the National Institutes of Health's MedlinePlus website. Zinc generally does not appear to be very helpful for symptoms of psoriasis. An article published in the June 2000 issue of the "American Journal of Dermatopathology" notes that psoriasis is resistant to many therapies, and effective treatment can be elusive.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disorder with symptoms of red, dry patches of skin, usually covered with silvery scales. The patches tend to be itchy and sore, and can become cracked and bleed. Some people with psoriasis also develop nail problems, including thickness and pitting. Psoriasis tends to have flare-ups and remissions. Mild cases can be simply inconvenient, but for other people, psoriasis skin symptoms are severe, painful and disfiguring, explains the Mayo Clinic. Additionally, some psoriasis patients develop psoriatic arthritis, which can be disabling.

Zinc

Zinc is useful for treating many health problems, MedlinePlus notes. Oral zinc supplements help to relieve acute diarrhea in malnourished children, heal gastric ulcers, reduce symptoms of sickle cell anemia and improve cholesterol levels in kidney dialysis patients. Zinc mouth rinses reduce oral plaque, and some studies indicate topical or oral zinc helps treat acne. Zinc pyrithione is an effective ingredient in some dandruff shampoos, and may help treat some scalp fungal infections. Topical zinc preparations may be beneficial for treating oral and genital herpes, and for reducing the occurrence of diaper rash.

Oral Zinc for Psoriasis

While some studies have found benefits for zinc in treating psoriasis skin symptoms, others have not, explains MedlinePlus. A study published in the August 1994 issue of the journal "Cutis" evaluated 25 patients with psoriasis over 12 weeks while they took oral zinc supplements. Researchers saw no significant differences in psoriasis area or severity between the treatment group and the placebo group.

Zinc Pyrithione

Research originally published in the "Journal of Geriatric Dermatology" in 1997 and republished in the "Dermatology Online Journal" detailed a case in which a patient with moderate psoriasis was successfully treated with topical zinc pyrithione in a 25-percent concentration, but this report only evaluated one individual. Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration later banned the promotion of zinc pyrithione products for psoriasis therapy, as clinical studies found them ineffective; the agency had safety concerns, too. The Pinch website notes that a few reports exist of successful treatment of psoriasis with a zinc pyrithione dandruff shampoo, but that this success is not typical.

Psoriatic Arthritis and Zinc

One study has indicated that zinc treatment reduces arthritis symptoms sometimes associated with psoriasis, MedlinePlus reports. Published in the October 1980 issue of the "British Journal of Dermatology," the article describes research in which psoriasis patients taking oral zinc sulfate experienced reduced joint pain and swelling, reduced need for pain relief medication and increased mobility.

References

Article reviewed by Will McCahill Last updated on: Aug 6, 2010

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