Zinc oxide is an inorganic compound used in a number of manufacturing processes. It can be found in rubbers, plastics, ceramics, glass, cement, lubricants, paints, ointments, adhesives, sealants, pigments, foods, batteries, ferrites, fire retardants, and first-aid tapes. It occurs naturally as the mineral zincite, but most zinc oxide is produced synthetically. It is also widely used to treat a variety of other skin conditions, in products such as baby powder and barrier creams to treat diaper rashes, calamine cream, anti-dandruff shampoos, and antiseptic ointments.
Crude zinc oxide is a yellow-gray granular solid with no odor. It is insoluble in water. The primary hazard is the threat posed to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit its spread to the environment. Prolonged inhalation of the dust may result in metal fume fever with symptoms of chills, fever, muscular pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Mechanism of Action of Zinc oxide
It acts by providing a physical barrier to prevent skin irritation and help heal damaged skin. Freshly formed fumes are composed of particles in the range of 0.05 to 0.5 um and have/ increased activity when they come into contact with the alveolar walls of the lung. As fumes age, they become less reactive because they tend to agglomerate or form aggregates and settle out of atmosphere thereby reducing the concern of reactive particulates in lung. The size of particles is important to factor in producing the illness. Finely divided particles of metals are so small that they behave much like gas and act on the alveolar surfaces, affecting the lung tissue and not the upper respiratory tract.
That zinc oxide fume inhalation initiates a time-dependent sequence of proinflammatory events that was postulated. This includes dose-dependent increases in pulmonary neutrophils and increased tumor necrosis factor (TNF) release into the pulmonary environment beginning at 3 hr after exposure, which, in turn, may lead to increases in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) IL-6 and the neutrophil chemoattractant IL-8. The IL-6 then enters the circulation, contributing to the development of the fever and the symptoms of metal fume fever. It was confirmed, through in vitro studies, that zinc oxide exposure stimulated U937 mononuclear cells to release TNF and IL-8, a finding consistent with in vivo observations in metal-fume fever.
Indications of Zinc oxide
- For adjunctive treatment of diaper dermatitis. Also, it can be used to treat minor skin irritations (eg, cuts, burns, and scrapes, poison ivy). Zinc oxide can be used in ointments, creams, and lotions to protect against sunburn and other damage to the skin caused by ultraviolet light.
- Treatment and/or prevention and control of post-weaning diarrhea in piglets.
- Drugs used to treat or prevent skin disorders or for the routine care of the skin.
- Chemical or physical agents that protect the skin from sunburn and erythema by absorbing or blocking ultraviolet radiation.
- Anal Itching
- Dermatologic Lesion
- Prevention of Sunburn
- Diaper Rash
Therapeutic Uses of Zinc oxide
- Dermatologic Agents; Sunscreening Agents
- The physical compounds titanium dioxide and zinc oxide reflect, scatter, and absorb both UVA and UVB rays. Using new technology, the particle sizes of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide have been reduced, making them more transparent without losing their ability to screen UV.
- Zinc oxide diaper rash ointment promotes healing, protects skin and relieves chafing.
- In addition to healing diaper rash, zinc oxide ointment is indicated for treating many everyday skin problems. It promotes healing, protects and helps seal out wetness. Use for minor burns, cuts, and scrapes.
- Zinc oxide is mildly astringent and is used topically as a soothing and protective application in eczema and slight excoriations, in wounds, and for hemorrhoids. It is also used with coal tar or ichthammol in the treatment eczema.
- Zinc oxide paste with salicylic acid is frequently used/ in the treatment of athlete’s foot and other dermatomycoses. The presence of zinc oxide imparts astringent and protective property to this paste. Astringent action is desired to reduce inflammation and to close fissures. Zinc oxide paste with salicylic acid
- Zinc oxide is used as the basis for the production of a number of dental cement. Mixed with phosphoric acid it forms a hard material composed largely of zinc phosphate; mixed with clove oil or eugenol, it is used as a temporary dental filling.
Contraindications of Zinc oxide
- Zinc Oxide
- Zinc
- Petrolatum
Dosage of Zinc oxide
Strengths: 5%; 10%; 20%; 40%; with cinoxate; 13%; 25%; 30%; 11.3%; 22%; 16%; 15%; 30.6%
Dermatologic Lesion
- Zinc oxide topical 30% ointment:Apply topically to affected area as needed.
Diaper Rash
- Zinc oxide topical 10% cream: Zinc oxide topical 10% ointment
- Zinc oxide topical 13% cream: Zinc oxide topical 13% ointment
- Zinc oxide topical 11.3% stick: Zinc oxide topical 30% ointment
Clean the diaper area and allow to dry. Apply a liberal amount topically with each diaper change.
Pediatric Dose for Dermatologic Lesion
- Zinc oxide topical 30% ointment: Apply topically to the affected area as needed.
Pediatric Dose for Diaper Rash
- Zinc oxide topical 10% cream: Zinc oxide topical 10% ointment
- Zinc oxide topical 13% cream: Zinc oxide topical 13% ointment
- Zinc oxide topical 11.3% stick: Zinc oxide topical 30% ointment Clean the diaper area and allow to dry. Apply a liberal amount topically with each diaper change.
Side Effects of Zinc oxide
- hives
- itching
- skin rash
- symptoms that do not go away after a few days of treatment
- worsening of symptoms (increased redness or skin irritation, worsening rash)
Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also, tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
References
- https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/ZINC-oxide-hydrate
- https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/56842982
- https://www.drugs.com/sfx/zinc-oxide-topical-side-effects.html
- https://www.drugs.com/mtm/zinc-oxide-topical.html
- https://chealth.canoe.com/drug/getdrug/zinc-oxide-cream
- https://www.webmd.com/details/list-contraindications
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