Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)

Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) is a chemical found in the folic acid vitamin and also in several foods including grains, eggs, milk, and meat.

PABA is taken by mouth for skin conditions including vitiligo, pemphigus,dermatomyositis, morphea, lymphoblastoma cutis, Peyronie’s disease, andscleroderma.

PABA is also used to treat infertility in women, arthritis, “tired blood” (anemia), rheumatic fever, constipation, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), andheadaches. It is also used to darken gray hair, prevent hair loss, make skin look younger, and prevent sunburn.

PABA is best known as a sunscreen that is applied to the skin (used topically).

PABA doesn’t seem to be taken by mouth as often as it used to be, possibly because some people question its safety and effectiveness.

Fig: Para-aminobenzoic acid

Uses

01.Effective for:

     Use as a sunscreen, when applied directly to the skin. PABA is approved by the U.S. Food           and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as a sunscreen. PABA seems to be effective during sweating, but not when skin is submerged in water - during swimming, for example.

02.Possibly Ineffective for:

     Treating a condition that causes hardening or thickening of the skin (scleroderma). Although PABA is FDA-approved for scleroderma, there is only limited evidence that it is effective. Some research studies suggest it might help for some symptoms of scleroderma, but the most convincing evidence shows that it does not help.

Insufficient Evidence for:

Various skin conditions such as dermatomyositis, vitiligo, pemphigus, morphea, Peyronie’s disease. PABA is FDA-approved for use in these skin conditions, but there is only limited evidence that it is effective. Although PABA is sometimes used to treat vitiligo, it has also been reported to cause vitiligo.

Infertility in women.

Arthritis.

“Tired blood” (anemia).

Constipation.

Headaches.