The use of sulfur in dermatology.
Sulfur has antifungal, antibacterial, and keratolytic activity. In the past, its use was widespread in dermatological disorders such as acne vulgaris, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff, pityriasis versicolor, scabies, and warts. Adverse events associated with topically applied sulfur are rare and mainly involve mild application site reactions. Sulfur, used alone or in combination with agents such as sodium sulfacetamide or salicylic acid, has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of many dermatological conditions.
Gupta
Aditya K
AK
Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook And Women's College Health Science Center, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. agupta@execulink.com
Nicol
Karyn
K
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012628:Dermatitis, Seborrheic / Q000188:drug therapy; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012393:Rosacea / Q000188:drug therapy; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013409:Sulfacetamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013455:Sulfur / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013457:Sulfur Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014010:Tinea Versicolor / Q000188:drug therapy
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D013457:Sulfur Compounds; D013409:Sulfacetamide; D013455:Sulfur