Effectiveness and safety of zinc oxide nanoparticle-coated socks compared to uncoated socks for the prevention of pitted keratolysis: a double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial study.

What Was Tested

Researchers studied Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc in this randomized controlled trial publication.

Pitted keratolysis (PK) and bromodosis have negative impacts on the quality of life especially for military personnel.

How the Study Was Run

The design is described as randomized and double-blind.

Random assignment meant chance, not the researchers, decided who got Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc and who got the comparison, which limits bias.

As a double-blind Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc study, the assignments were hidden from both participants and investigators until the end.

A double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial was conducted in January 2019.

Naval cadets assigned to a 14-day field training course were randomly allocated to either a ZnO-NP-coated or an uncoated-sock group.

They completed questionnaires evaluating behavioral risk factors and self-assessed foot odor levels using a visual analogue scale (VAS); intervention-blinded dermatologists also performed foot examinations.

They reassessed their odor levels and had their feet re-examined upon completion of the training course.

What Was Measured

The subject headings attached to it are Keratosis, Nanoparticles, Quality of Life, Skin Diseases, Bacterial and Zinc Oxide.

What This Means in Plain Language

The paper is a randomized and double-blind study of Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc.

The abstract goes on to report its results in about 5 sentences; this page does not restate them, so read the paper for the findings and their limits.

The publication is from 2021 (International journal of dermatology), a journal based in England.

More context: the Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc compound page, all human trials.