Magnesium in Epidermis, Dermis, and Whole Skin of Normal and Atopic Subjects

The possibility that cutaneous magnesium deficiency may be characteristic of chronic disseminated neurodermatitis was first suggested by MacCardle and coworkers (1, 2). They presented microincineration and spectrograph evidence of diminished magnesium content in both the active lesions and the unaffected skin of such patients. A defect of either absorption or retention of magnesium by the whole skin of these patients was postulated. From the clinical data given, such as sites of involvement, and age of the patients, it would appear that the dermatosis described corresponds to what is today frequently called atopic dermatitis.