ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses potential applications of magnesium as adjunctive therapy in cutaneous conditions including pseudoxanthoma elasticum, psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, cutaneous lupus erythematosus, mycosis fungoides, melanoma, acne vulgaris, melasma, Hailey–Hailey disease, and atopic dermatitis. Magnesium is a nutritionally essential element that is necessary for many physiologic processes in humans. It is a critical factor in bone mineralization, muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, and a necessary co-factor for over 300 enzymes. Magnesium has several dosage formulations pertaining to cutaneous treatment, including oral supplementation and topical variants. The dietary allowance of magnesium recommended by the Food and Drug Administration is up to 420 mg per day for adults. Fumaric acid esters (FAE) are another prospective oral supplementation of magnesium. Fumaderm is the only licensed FAE in Germany; it is comprised of dimethylfumarate and calcium, magnesium, and zinc salts of monoethyl hydrogen fumarate tablets.
