ORIGINAL ARTICLE   Free access

Esperienze Dermatologiche 2020 March;22(1):1-4

DOI: 10.23736/S1128-9155.20.00496-3

Copyright © 2020 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Management of plantar hyperkeratosis with a 40% urea cream

Leonardo CELLENO ¹ ✉, Tiziana LAURETI ², Mauro MONTESI ³

¹ Department of Dermatology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy; ² Department of Economics, Engineering, Society and Business Organization, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy; ³ Istituto Podologico Italiano, Rome, Italy

BACKGROUND: Hyperkeratosis, or keratoderma, presents as an abnormal thickening of the skin, typically producing fissures and ulceration, affecting the palms and soles, and sometimes transgressing to adjacent areas. Treatment of an underlying etiology is the first step of therapy, when possible. Independently of any causes, a conservative treatment is always applied, aimed at reducing the corneum thickness and restoring hydration.
METHODS: We evaluated the effectiveness of a cream containing urea 40%, lactic acid and jojoba seed oil for the management of areas with high presence of hyperkeratosis. Overall 108 patients were recruited and 80 (74.1%) of them completed the treatment period.
RESULTS: After 30 days of treatment, hyperkeratosis was reduced/cleared in 74 (92.5%) patients (P<0.000001 vs. basal). Hyperkeratosis was reduced by 1 grade in 23 (28.7%) subjects, by 2 grades in 40 (50%), and by 3 grades in 11 (13.7%) patients. Satisfaction (score >8) with corneum thickness decrease was observed in 85%, and with smell of the cream in 100% of patients.
CONCLUSIONS: The 40% urea cream may be used at home for the effective management of plantar hyperkeratosis.

KEY WORDS: Keratoderma, palmoplantar; Urea; Skin cream