ABSTRACT
Zinc pyrithione and selenium sulfide are the last two ingredients that can be used in scalp psoriasis. Selenium sulfide is not used as much because it is an orange ingredient that is fairly expensive and difficult to formulate. Its efficacy is similar to zinc pyrithione, but zinc pyrithione is a better antiinflammatory agent. New grinding technology has allowed very small size zinc pyrithione particles to be produced that can deposit in the follicular ostia. This technology may be worthwhile in psoriasis, since this delivery may provide longer lasting anti-inflammatory effects. The zinc pyrithione is also antifungal, providing benefit in patients with seborrhiasis, an overlap between seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis.
