Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Zinc?How Zinc WorksTopicalsApplication
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Zinc?
How Zinc Works
Topicals
Application
Eczema(also called atopic dermatitis) 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.Zincis 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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Zinc is an essential trace mineral that supports the immune system and metabolism. It maintains the body’s senses of taste and smell. Zinc also is needed to heal wounds, which is why it can be helpful as an eczema treatment.
Zinc: The Mineral
Zinc is very reactive, which is why it’s always attached to a compound (like an oxide) rather than being in its pure, elemental form alone.The compound zinc oxide has a white appearance, but zinc on its own is more of a silver-gray color.
Zinc and Immunity
Supplemental zincis often recommended to help your immune system function. For example, it’s a common ingredient in cough drops and products for the common cold. Zinc’s immune-boosting potential is one reason why it can be helpful to use during an eczema flare-up when the skin is weak and exposed to infection.
Besides boosting the immune system’s reaction to skin irritation, zinc can also increase how quickly new skin cells grow to replace the damaged cells.
The Immune Benefits of Zinc
Zinc Deficiency
You might become deficient in zinc because:
Symptoms of Zinc Deficiency and How It’s Treated
Does Zinc Oxide Work for Eczema?
Zinc is present throughout your body, but especially in your bones, muscles, liver, and skin.
During an eczema flare-up, the body releases histamine, which causes you to feel itchy. You may also see small blisters or flaky, cracked, dry skin. Zinc can help address these weak points created in the skin during a flare-up.
Creams with zinc provide a moisture barrier to help soothe the dry, flaky skin that is common with eczema. Zinc creams can also help fight possible infections because of the mineral’s natural antibacterial properties and ability to promote healing.
Other Uses for Zinc Oxide
Zinc oxide is found in a range of beauty and personal care products. You may see it as an ingredient in these items:
Eczema Skin Care Strategies
Zinc Oxide Topicals
Eczema treatment varies from person to person—and even within the same person. The treatment you started using when you first were diagnosed with eczema may become less effective over time, or you might find that a treatment that used to work becomes too overpowering.
In general, topical creams and ointments are the preferred treatment for eczema rather than oral medications because they provide moisture and can target therapy directly to the affected area of skin.
Diaper Rash Cream
One product that you might be surprised can work well for eczema is diaper rash cream. While intended for babies, most creams contain zinc oxide and can help soothe eczema.
Hand Soaps
Zincpyrithionecan be found in hand soaps such as Vanicream Z-Bar or Noble Formula soap. Using soap containing zinc can help soothe and clear up an eczema flare-up.
If you havedyshidroticeczema—which is specific tohands and feet—handwashing can remove any lotion or ointments you have applied to treat the rash. Using a soap that has zinc in it can allow you to treat your eczema at the same time as you keep your hands clean.
The 9 Best Expert-Recommended Soaps for Eczema
Ointments vs. Creams
When choosing cream or ointment, consider the severity of your eczema. If the skin is particularly dry, flaky, and cracked, ointments may be more helpful because they are thicker and capable of holding moisture against the skin longer.
Being lighter than ointments, creams are easier to wash off. Creams also tend to be less sticky and may be preferred for this reason.
Applying Zinc Oxide Cream
To do a patch test, find an area of unaffected skin and apply a small amount of the product. If there is no reaction to the test site after a few hours, you can try using the product in an area of eczema.
Is Zinc Oxide Safe for Kids?
Children, even babies, can get eczemaand 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.
Summary
Your Eczema Treatment Options
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Science Learning Hub.Zinc.Ogawa Y, Kinoshita M, Shimada S, et al.Zinc and Skin Disorders.Nutrients. 2018;10(2):199. doi:10.3390/nu10020199National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Zinc Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.Negut I, Grumezescu V, Grumezescu AM.Treatment Strategies for Infected Wounds.Molecules. 2018;23(9):2392. Published 2018 Sep 18. doi:10.3390/molecules23092392Nishida K, Uchida R.Role of Zinc Signaling in the Regulation of Mast Cell-, Basophil-, and T Cell-Mediated Allergic Responses.J Immunol Res. 2018;2018:5749120. Published 2018 Nov 25. doi:10.1155/2018/5749120MedlinePlus.Zinc.American Chemical Society.Zinc oxide.Gupta M, Mahajan VK, Mehta KS, Chauhan PS.Zinc therapy in dermatology: a review.Dermatol Res Pract. 2014;2014:709152. doi:10.1155/2014/709152Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Is Sunscreen Safe?.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Science Learning Hub.Zinc.Ogawa Y, Kinoshita M, Shimada S, et al.Zinc and Skin Disorders.Nutrients. 2018;10(2):199. doi:10.3390/nu10020199National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Zinc Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.Negut I, Grumezescu V, Grumezescu AM.Treatment Strategies for Infected Wounds.Molecules. 2018;23(9):2392. Published 2018 Sep 18. doi:10.3390/molecules23092392Nishida K, Uchida R.Role of Zinc Signaling in the Regulation of Mast Cell-, Basophil-, and T Cell-Mediated Allergic Responses.J Immunol Res. 2018;2018:5749120. Published 2018 Nov 25. doi:10.1155/2018/5749120MedlinePlus.Zinc.American Chemical Society.Zinc oxide.Gupta M, Mahajan VK, Mehta KS, Chauhan PS.Zinc therapy in dermatology: a review.Dermatol Res Pract. 2014;2014:709152. doi:10.1155/2014/709152Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Is Sunscreen Safe?.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Science Learning Hub.Zinc.Ogawa Y, Kinoshita M, Shimada S, et al.Zinc and Skin Disorders.Nutrients. 2018;10(2):199. doi:10.3390/nu10020199National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Zinc Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.Negut I, Grumezescu V, Grumezescu AM.Treatment Strategies for Infected Wounds.Molecules. 2018;23(9):2392. Published 2018 Sep 18. doi:10.3390/molecules23092392Nishida K, Uchida R.Role of Zinc Signaling in the Regulation of Mast Cell-, Basophil-, and T Cell-Mediated Allergic Responses.J Immunol Res. 2018;2018:5749120. Published 2018 Nov 25. doi:10.1155/2018/5749120MedlinePlus.Zinc.American Chemical Society.Zinc oxide.Gupta M, Mahajan VK, Mehta KS, Chauhan PS.Zinc therapy in dermatology: a review.Dermatol Res Pract. 2014;2014:709152. doi:10.1155/2014/709152Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Is Sunscreen Safe?.
Science Learning Hub.Zinc.
Ogawa Y, Kinoshita M, Shimada S, et al.Zinc and Skin Disorders.Nutrients. 2018;10(2):199. doi:10.3390/nu10020199
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Zinc Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.
Negut I, Grumezescu V, Grumezescu AM.Treatment Strategies for Infected Wounds.Molecules. 2018;23(9):2392. Published 2018 Sep 18. doi:10.3390/molecules23092392
Nishida K, Uchida R.Role of Zinc Signaling in the Regulation of Mast Cell-, Basophil-, and T Cell-Mediated Allergic Responses.J Immunol Res. 2018;2018:5749120. Published 2018 Nov 25. doi:10.1155/2018/5749120
MedlinePlus.Zinc.
American Chemical Society.Zinc oxide.
Gupta M, Mahajan VK, Mehta KS, Chauhan PS.Zinc therapy in dermatology: a review.Dermatol Res Pract. 2014;2014:709152. doi:10.1155/2014/709152
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Is Sunscreen Safe?.
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