Sulfur: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Family or group:
Minerals and trace elements
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Acne ✪✪✪✪✪
Sulfur is an ingredient used in medicine in over-the-counter topical products intended to treat acne, at concentrations of 3% to 10%. Although data on its efficacy are mainly anecdotal, creams and ointments containing 1% to 10% sulfur have been used for decades, often in combination with other agents such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
Posologie
Topical application
Allergies ✪✪✪✪✪
A preliminary study indicates that a homeopathic nasal spray containing sulfur offers efficacy comparable to that of sodium cromoglycate nasal spray (an allergy medication) in relieving allergic rhinitis symptoms for 42 days.
Posologie
Intranasal administration
ENT infections ✪✪✪✪✪
A preliminary study suggests that a homeopathic product containing sulfur relieves cold symptoms similarly to conventional remedies such as antihistamines, for up to two weeks.
Posologie
Orally
Dermatoses ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary research shows that topical application of 10% sulfur can effectively reduce papules and pustules of rosacea compared with oral tetracycline treatment.
Posologie
Topically
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary research indicates that inhalation of sulfurous water does not show improvement in lung function in patients with obstructive pulmonary disease after 12 days of treatment.
Posologie
By inhalation
Detoxification ✪✪✪✪✪
Sulfur plays an important role in the detoxification of heavy metals thanks to its compounds containing thiol groups, which are capable of binding these metals. This binding facilitates the excretion of metals, such as lead, mercury, and arsenic, thereby reducing their toxicity and accumulation in the body.
Posologie
By mouth
Properties
Dermatological effect
Sulfur interacts directly with keratinocytes to transform into hydrogen sulfide by a mechanism not yet known. This compound helps break down keratin, exploiting its keratolytic action in the treatment of acne and seborrheic dermatitis.
Usages associés
Antibacterial
Sulfur shows activity against Propionibacterium acnes, a bacterium involved in acne. Its antimicrobial effects could result from its conversion into pentathionic acid (vitamin B5) by the normal skin flora or keratinocytes.
Usages associés
Respiratory effect
Inhalation of sulfurous water is commonly used for respiratory disorders. Clinical evidence suggests that it may inhibit oxidative respiratory processes, offering a potential therapeutic benefit in the treatment of respiratory conditions.
Usages associés
Safe dosage
Adult :
Topical products containing sulfur at concentrations up to 10% have been used safely for periods of up to 8 weeks. There is not enough reliable information available on the safety of using sulfur orally.
Precautions
Pregnant woman : use with caution
Topical products containing sulfur have been applied safely at concentrations up to 6% for periods of up to 6 days. Avoid oral use of sulfur due to a lack of reliable safety information.
Breastfeeding woman : use with caution
Topical products containing sulfur have been applied safely at concentrations up to 6% for periods of up to 6 days. Avoid oral use of sulfur due to a lack of reliable safety information.
