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Zinc deficiency dermatitis in a patient on long-term total parenteral nutrition (TPN) with trace-element supplementation is reported, and the therapeutic aspects of zinc deficiency are reviewed. A 36-year-old white man was hospitalized and found to have a small-bowel perforation secondary to internal herniation. Small-bowel resection with end-to-end anastomosis was performed, and TPN supplemented with folic acid, multivitamins, trace elements (including elemental zinc 2 mg/day), and fat was begun. Four months later, the patient developed a moist, erythematous, painful groin rash that did not respond to one month of topical antifungal and topical and intravenous antibacterial treatment. At five months after admission, zinc deficiency was suspected; serum zinc concentration was 85 micrograms/dl (normal = 55-150 micrograms/dl). The total daily zinc dose was increased to 60 mg, and within two days the patient's lesions began to improve. The rash healed within two weeks. Six days after increased zinc therapy was begun, lab tests showed: hair zinc content, 185 micrograms/g (normal = 163 micrograms/g); serum zinc content, 90 micrograms/dl; and erythrocyte zinc content, 1058 micrograms/dl (normal = 1100-1400 micrograms/dl). Signs and symptoms of zinc deficiency, zinc disposition in man, predisposing factors to zinc deficiency, laboratory analysis of zinc nutriture, zinc therapy, and zinc toxicity are discussed. Knowledge of drug use, diet, geographic location, underlying disease, and other patient-specific factors is important in recognizing the patient at risk of developing zinc deficiency. Several tests should be performed to document zinc deficiency. Zinc replacement guidelines are outlined.