Urea is a substance your body produces naturally. It’s also a common ingredient in skin care products because it can help exfoliate your skin and keep it moisturized.
Urea 40 cream is a topical emollient, which means it’s a cream you put on your skin. It’s primarily used to treat conditions affecting your external skin and nails.
This article provides an overview of what urea 40 cream is used for, its benefits, and precautions you should take when using it.
Understanding Urea and its Mechanism of Action
Urea is a substance your body makes naturally. It’s a waste product created as your body breaks down protein. But synthetic urea is also a common ingredient in skin care products.
Urea does two things at once: It’s a humectant, which means it draws moisture into your skin. It also has keratolytic properties, meaning it helps break down the outer layer of skin.
How Urea 40 Cream Works
Urea 40 cream has a strong keratolytic effect. It softens and loosens the top layer of skin, which helps remove dead skin cells.
It also helps your skin hold onto water. Urea 40 cream increases the amount of water in the stratum corneum, which is the outermost layer of your skin.
What is urea 40 cream used for?
Urea 40 cream is a topical product used to treat a range of skin and nail conditions.
Skin Conditions
It’s often prescribed for hyperkeratotic conditions, which involve a buildup of keratin in the outer layer of skin. These conditions include:
- dry skin
- dermatitis
- psoriasis
- xerosis
- ichthyosis
- eczema
- keratosis pilaris
- keratosis palmaris
- keratoderma
Urea 40 cream softens and moisturizes the skin, reducing scaling, cracking, and discomfort.
Nail Conditions
Urea 40 cream can also help with damaged or dystrophic nails that have thickened, discolored, or become deformed, but for some nail conditions, a prescription treatment like ciclopirox nail lacquer may be necessary. It can even dissolve or peel away unhealthy portions of the nail.
It’s also helpful for ingrown nails because it softens the nail, making it easier to trim and care for.
Other Uses
Urea 40 cream is an effective remedy for corns and calluses because it helps remove thickened skin.
It can also be part of a broader treatment plan. For example, it may enhance the effectiveness of antifungal treatments, similar to how Clarus antifungal cream works to get rid of fungal infections.
Dosage and administration
Here’s how you’ll typically use 40% urea cream:
- Apply a thin layer to the affected area twice a day, or as your doctor directs.
- Rub the cream in until it’s fully absorbed.
Important considerations:
- This product is for external use only.
- Avoid getting it in your eyes or on any mucous membranes.
- Stop using the cream and talk to your doctor if you develop redness or irritation.
Precautions, side effects, and contraindications
Urea cream is generally considered safe, but here are a few things to keep in mind before you use it.
Precautions
- If you’re pregnant or nursing, it’s best to avoid products containing urea, since we don’t know enough about how urea affects a developing baby. Urea is a Category B drug, which means that animal reproduction studies have not demonstrated a risk to the fetus but there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
- Avoid using urea cream around sensitive areas like your eyes or lips.
- Keep urea cream away from children.
Potential side effects
You may notice some stinging, burning, itching, or irritation when you first start using urea cream, similar to some of the initial sensations one might experience with miconazole nitrate gel. If these side effects persist or worsen, it’s best to seek medical attention.
Contraindications
You shouldn’t use urea cream if you have a known allergy to urea or any of the other ingredients in the cream.
Choosing the right urea cream product
Urea creams come in different strengths, usually from 3% up to 40%. The higher the concentration of urea, the stronger the effect it will have.
When it comes to choosing the right urea cream, here are some considerations:
- Lower concentrations are better for general moisturizing purposes.
- Higher concentrations are more appropriate for thick skin and nail problems.
To figure out what’s best for you, consult with your doctor or other healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 40% urea cream used for?
40% urea cream is a potent emollient and keratolytic agent, primarily used to treat severely dry, rough, and thickened skin. It’s often prescribed for conditions like psoriasis, eczema, keratosis pilaris, and calluses/corns. The urea helps to hydrate the skin by drawing moisture in and also breaks down the protein (keratin) in the outer layer of skin, softening and removing dead skin cells.
How long does it take for urea 40% to work?
The time it takes for 40% urea cream to show results can vary depending on the severity of the skin condition and individual factors. Generally, you might start to see improvement within a few days, such as reduced dryness and softening of the affected area. However, for significant improvement of thickened skin or calluses, it may take several weeks of consistent application, typically twice daily, as directed by your doctor.
When should you not use urea cream?
You should avoid using urea cream if you have a known allergy to urea or any of the other ingredients in the product. It’s also generally not recommended for use on broken or infected skin, open wounds, or acutely inflamed areas. Exercise caution when using it on sensitive areas like the face, groin, or underarms, as it can cause irritation. Always consult with a doctor or dermatologist before using urea cream, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are pregnant/breastfeeding.
Conclusion
Urea 40 cream is a strong topical medicine that can help treat a variety of skin and nail problems. It works by moisturizing your skin while also breaking down tough skin cells.
To get the best results and avoid side effects, it’s important to use urea 40 cream exactly as directed by your doctor or the product label.
When used correctly, urea 40 cream can be a great way to manage thick, rough, or scaly skin and nails.