Cutaneous Manifestations of Zinc Deficiency in Ethylic Cirrhosis

This study investigated 33 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (AC) for cutaneous manifestations of zinc deficiency, dividing them into three groups based on their skin lesion responses to zinc treatment. Group C, with lesions cured by oral zinc therapy, was particularly studied. The study found that zinc deficiency in AC patients often led to skin conditions resembling acrodermatitis enteropathica, with symptoms like eczema, cheilitis, glossitis, stomatitis, alopecia, and occasionally Beau's lines. Behavioral disorders, diarrhea, and liver issues improved with zinc therapy. Plasma zinc levels were significantly lower in AC patients, especially those with skin manifestations, compared to controls. The rapid improvement of symptoms with zinc sulfate treatment confirmed the diagnosis of zinc deficiency.