Background: Feet odor is a common sociomedical problem that affects the feet of human beings of different etiological factors. Multiple modalities of therapy have been used in the treatment of feet odor. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical 15% zinc sulfate solution in the treatment of feet odor. Patients and Methods: This single blind, placebo, controlled therapeutic study was conducted at the Department of Dermatology-Baghdad Teaching Hospital, from March 2010 to July2011. A total of 108 (88 males and 20 females) patients with feet odor were enrolled and were divided into 2 groups: Group A: treated with 15% zinc sulfate solution. Group B: treated with distilled water as placebo control group. Full history and examination were carried out including all relevant points. Four scoring had been used to assess the severity of odor in patients with bared feet Score 0: no odor, Score 1: mild odor, Score 2: moderate odor and Score 3: severe odor. Zinc sulfate solution 15% was applied to sole and toe webs once daily for two weeks, three times per week for next two weeks and followed by single application weekly as maintenance after clearance of odor for two months. Patients were seen every two weeks to be examined and to score the odor again and to record side effects. Results: Group A: Fifty patients completed the study, their ages ranged from 8 - 68(33 + 14.5) years,while the duration of the disease ranged from 1-180 (7.22+ 38.24) months.The complete clearance of feet odorafter two weeks of therapy was 35 (70%)patients which was similar to two months maintenance therapy
References
[1]
F. Kanda, E. Yagi, M. Fukuda, K. Nakajima, T. Ohta and O. Nakata, “Elucidation of Chemical Compounds Responsible for Foot Malodor,” British Journal of Dermatology, Vol. 122, No. 6, 1990, pp. 771-776.
doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.1990.tb06265.x
[2]
K. Ara, M. Hama, S. Akiba, K. Koike, K. Okisaka, T. Hagura, T. Kamiya and F. Tomita, “Foot Odor Due to Microbial Metabolism and Its Control,” Canadian Journal of Microbiology, Vol. 52, No. 4, 2006, pp. 357-364.
doi:10.1139/w05-130
[3]
M. Connolly and D. de Berker, “Management of Primary Hyperhidrosis,” American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, Vol. 4, No. 10, 2003, pp. 681-697.
doi:10.2165/00128071-200304100-00003
[4]
P. K. Lee, M. T. Zipoli, A. N. Weinberg, M. N. Swartz and R. A. Johnson, “Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine,” 6th Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2003.
[5]
S. A. McWilliams, I. Montgomery, D. McEwan Jenkinson, H. Y. Elder, S. M. Wilson and A. M. Sutton, “Effects of Topically Applied Antiperspirant on Sweat Gland Function,” British Journal of Dermatology, Vol. 117, No. 5, 1987, pp. 617-626.
doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.1987.tb07494.x
[6]
Y. Karakoc, E. H. Aydemir, M. T. Kalkan and G. Unal, “Safe Control of Palmoplantar Hyperhidrosis with Direct Electrical Current,” International Journal of Dermatology, Vo. 41, No. 9, 2002, pp. 602-605.
doi:10.1046/j.1365-4362.2002.01473.x
[7]
A. S. Prasad, “Zinc: The Biology and Therapeutic of an Ion,” Annals of Internal Medicine, Vo. 125, No. 2, 1996, pp. 142-143.
doi:10.7326/0003-4819-125-2-199607150-00012
[8]
K. E. Sharquie, A. A. Noaimi and M. M. Al-Salih, “Topical Therapy of Acne Vulgaris Using 2% Tea Lotion in Comparison with 5% Zinc Sulphate Solution,” Saudi Medical Journal, Vol. 29, 2008, pp. 1757-1761.
[9]
K. E. Sharquie, R. A. Najim, R. K. Al-Hayani, A. A. Al-Nuaimy and D. M. Maroof, “The Therapeutic and Prophylactic Role of Oral Zinc Sulphate in Management of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS) in Comparison with Dapsone,” Saudi Medical Journal, Vol. 29, No. 5, 2008, pp. 734-738.
[10]
K. E. Sharquie and K. Al-Azzawi, “Intralesional Therapy of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis with 2% Zinc Sulphate Solution,” Pan-Arab League of Dermatologists, Vol. 7, 1996, pp. 41-46.
[11]
K. E. Sharquie, R. A. Najim, D. J. Al-Timimi, I. B. Farjou, “Oral Zinc Sulphate in the Treatment of Acute Cutaneous Leishmaniasis,” Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, Vol. 26, No. 1, 2001, pp. 21-26.
doi:10.1046/j.1365-2230.2001.00752.x
[12]
K. E. Sharquie, A. A. Khorsheed and A. A. Al-Nuaimy, “Topical Zinc Sulphate Solution for Treatment of Viral Warts,” Saudi Medical Journal, Vol. 28, No. 9, 2007, pp. 1418-1421.
[13]
K. E. Sharquie and A. A. Al-Nauaimy, “Treatment of Viral Warts by Intralesional Injection of Zinc Sulphate,” Annals Saudi Medical, Vol. 22, No. 1-2, 2002, pp. 26-28.
[14]
F. Al-Gurairi, M. Al-Waiz and K. E. Sharquie, “Oral Zinc Sulphate in the Treatment of Recalcitrant Viral Warts: Randomized Placebo Controlled Trial,” British Journal Dermatology, Vol. 146, No. 3, 2002, pp. 423-431.
doi:10.1046/j.1365-2133.2002.04617.x
[15]
K. E. Sharquie, W. S. Al-Dori, I. K. Sharquie and A. A. Noaimi, “Treatment of Pityriasis Versicolor with Topical 15% Zinc Sulphate Solution,” Iraqi Journal of Community Medicine, Vol. 21, No. 1, 2008, pp. 61-62.
[16]
I. G. Al-Tereihi, “Topical 10% Zinc Sulphate Solution in the Treatment of Superficial Fungal Infections,” A Thesis Submitted to the Iraqi Board for Medical Specializations, Dermatology and Venereology, 2006.
[17]
K. E. Sharquie, A. A. Noaimi and N. O. Kadir, “Topical Therapy of Xeroderma Pigmentosa with 20% Zinc Sulphate Solution,” Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal, Vol. 7, No. 3, 2008, pp. 231-236.
