Sulfur

Preparations:

  • Precipitated (most commonly used in Dermatology)
  • Sublimed
  • Colloidal
  • Sulfurated potash
  • Sulfurated lime
  • Washed sulfur

Keratolytic (high concentration):

Increase hydrogen sulfide = breakage of keratin

– Keratoplastic (low concentration):

Normal differentiation via sulfur + cysteine that form cystine (stratum corneum component) 

– Antifungal:

pentathionic acid formation

– Antibacterial:

Inactivation of sulfhydryl groups in bacteria

  • Antiparasitic: Hydrogen sulfide & polythionic acid formation (toxic effect on mite) & desquamation of stratum corneum

  1. Cutaneous disorders:
    • Acne
    • Perioral dermatitis
    • Rosacea
    • Seborrheic dermatitis
  2. Infections:
    • Demodex
    • Scabies 
    • Dermatophytes
    • Tinea versicolor
    • Verruca

* For further reading refer to a pharmacology source

  • Odor (rotten eggs)
  • Allergic contact dermatitis (rare)
  • Fatal toxicity in infants when applied to large areas of skin (rare)

  • Yellow non-metallic element
  • The smaller is the size of the particle, the more effect it has on the skin
  • Acne & rosacea: sulfur + sodium sulfacetamide
  • Scabies: 5-10% precipitated (for pregnancy, lactation & infants)
  • Other combinations: with hydrocortisone or salicylic acid