Perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens (Hoffman). Complete healing associated with oral zinc therapy.

A 24-year-old man with a one-year history of perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens (Hoffman) was treated with oral zinc sulfate. Complete healing was seen after three months and the treatment was continued for a total of six months. No relapse has occurred during a five-year follow-up. The mechanisms through which zinc therapy might influence inflammatory conditions are not fully understood.