| Clinical data | |
|---|---|
| Pregnancy cat. | B(US) |
| Legal status | ? |
| Routes | Topical |
| Identifiers | |
| ATC code | ? |
| Chemical data | |
| Formula | ? |
| (what is this?) (verify) |
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A urea (or carbamide)-containing cream (trade names including Decubal, Carmol 40, Keralac and UriSec 40[1]) is a potent keratolytic emollient.[2] It generally contains about 35% or 40% urea for skin use, and 50% urea for nail use.
Contents |
Urea dissolves the intercellular matrix of the cells of the stratum corneum, promoting desquamation of scaly skin, eventually resulting in softening of hyperkeratotic areas.[2] In nails, urea causes softening and eventually debridement of the nail plate.[2]
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.[2] Specific condition with hyperkeratosis where urea cream is useful include:
More common side effects of urea cream are:
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.[3]