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Urea-containing cream

Topic: Chemistry

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Short description: Dermatologic drug

Urea-containing cream
2D and 3D image of urea molecule
Clinical data
Trade namesDecubal, Carmol 40, Keralac, others
AHFS/Drugs.comMultum Consumer Information
License data
Routes of
administration		Topical
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
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CAS Number
ChemSpider
  • none
UNII

Urea-containing cream, also known as carbamide-containing cream,[clarification needed] is used as a medication and applied to the skin to treat dryness and itching such as may occur in psoriasis, dermatitis, or ichthyosis.[1][2][3] It may also be used to soften nails.[3]

In adults side effects are generally few.[4] It may occasionally cause skin irritation.[1] Urea works in part by loosening dried skin.[5] Preparations generally contain 5 to 50% urea.[2][3]

Urea containing creams have been used since the 1940s.[6] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[7] It is available over the counter.[3]

Medical uses

Urea cream is indicated for debridement and promotion of normal healing of skin areas with hyperkeratosis, particularly where healing is inhibited by local skin infection, skin necrosis, fibrinous or itching debris or eschar.[5] Specific condition with hyperkeratosis where urea cream is useful include:

Side effects

Common side effects of urea cream are:

  • Mild skin irritation[8]
  • Temporary burning sensation[8]
  • Stinging sensation[8]
  • Itching[8]

In severe cases, there can be an allergic reaction with symptoms such as skin rash, urticaria, difficulty breathing and swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue.[8]

Mechanism of action

Urea in low doses is a humectant while at high doses (above 20%) it causes breakdown of protein in the skin.[9]

Urea dissolves the intercellular matrix of the cells of the stratum corneum, promoting desquamation of scaly skin, eventually resulting in softening of hyperkeratotic areas.[5] In nails, urea causes softening and eventually debridement of the nail plate.[5]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 WHO Model Formulary 2008. World Health Organization. 2009. p. 310. ISBN 9789241547659. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 British national formulary : BNF 69 (69 ed.). British Medical Association. 2015. pp. 796–798. ISBN 9780857111562. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Urea topical medical facts from Drugs.com". https://www.drugs.com/mtm/urea-topical.html. 
  4. ↑ "Ichthyoses" (in en). European Handbook of Dermatological Treatments (3rd ed.). Springer. 2015. p. 439. ISBN 9783662451397. https://books.google.com/books?id=fHi6CAAAQBAJ&pg=PA439. 
  5. ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 "Urea Cream - FDA prescribing information, side effects and uses". https://www.drugs.com/pro/urea-cream.html. 
  6. ↑ "Effects of natural moisturizing factor and lactic acid isomers on skin function." (in en). Dry Skin and Moisturizers: Chemistry and Function. CRC Press. 1999. p. 235. ISBN 9780849375200. https://books.google.com/books?id=JpfgVgb62nsC&pg=PA235. 
  7. ↑ The selection and use of essential medicines, 2025: WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, 24th list. Geneva: World Health Organization. 2025. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 "Urea Cream (Consumer Information)". Drugs.com. 4 May 2011. https://www.drugs.com/cdi/urea-cream.html. 
  9. ↑ "Moisturizers: The Slippery Road". Indian Journal of Dermatology 61 (3): 279–287. 2016. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.182427. PMID 27293248. 



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