Plasma zinc in psoriatic in-patients treated with local zinc applications.

Zinc is a major component of many local skin applications. An investigation into its systemic absorption in thirty-one psoriatic hospital in-patients is reported. Plasma zinc, copper and whole blood delta-aminolaevulinic acid dehydratase were followed before and during in-patient treatment over 14 days. No significant alteration in these parameters was detected. Significantly reduced plasma zinc levels were found in the patients compared to a matched control population.