We present here a report of a case using a novel topical preparation of zinc pyrithione for the treatment of psoriasis. Topical zinc pyrithione appears to be a safe and effective treatment for psoriasis. The clinical course is dynamic, capricious, and replete with flares and remissions. Often a combination of treatment modalities is required for clinical success. Unfortunately, phototherapeutic modalities can be labor intensive and inconvenient.
Systemic treatments have significant side effect considerations.
Consequently, any effective and safe topical agent is a welcomed addition to our therapeutic armamentarium. Since some believe that seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis may lie on different ends of the same spectrum, it seemed reasonable to try a topical preparation of zinc pyrithione to treat psoriasis. We report here the clinical results of a psoriatic patient treated with a topical spray containing zinc pyrithione. Methods A 39 year old man with a 14 year history of moderate plaque psoriasis was instructed to spray the topical zinc pyrithione preparation, twice per day, to the left elbow. The right elbow was to be used as a control and received no treatment of any kind during the trial.