Acrodermatitis enteropathica is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder affecting the uptake of zinc through the inner lining of the bowel, the mucous membrane.

It is characterized by inflammation of the skin (dermatitis) around bodily openings (periorificial) and the tips of fingers and toes (acral), hair loss (alopecia), and diarrhea.

[5] Individuals with acrodermatitis enteropathica may present with the following:[2] Alopecia (loss of hair from the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes) may occur.

Skin lesions may be secondarily infected by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus or fungi such as Candida albicans.

[6] Acrodermatitis enteropathica, in terms of genetics, indicates that a mutation of the SLC39A4 gene on chromosome 8 q24.3 is responsible for the disorder.