Urea cream is an option to treat skin problems, such as dry, rough, and scaly skin. Urea cream can also be used to treat certain skin diseases. Although classified as safe, this cream should be used according to prescription and doctor's instructions.
Urea is a substance that occurs naturally in the outermost layer of the skin. This substance functions as a natural skin moisturizer and prevents dry skin. However, urea is also often used as an ingredient in skin care products, such as moisturizing creams for dry skin.
Usually, the urea cream used to treat dry skin is a cream with a urea concentration of 2–10%.
How Urea Cream Works and Benefits for Skin Health
Urea cream is often used to treat dry, scaly, and rough skin due to certain skin conditions. To treat dry skin, urea cream works in three ways, namely:
- Moisturizes the skin by collecting water from the deeper layers of the skin
- Reduces the buildup of dead skin cells and removes flaky or flaky skin by destroying the keratin substance in the outer layer of the skin
- Increases the action of some medications, such as corticosteroids and antifungal creams, which are commonly used in conjunction with urea creams
Urea cream can be used to treat dry skin caused by the following conditions:
- Contact dermatitis
- atopic eczema
- Radiation dermatitis, which is dry, red, itchy, or peeling skin after radiation therapy as a cancer treatment
- psoriasis
- Water fleas
- Keratosis pilaris
- Calluses
- ichthyosis
- Actinic keratoses
In addition to dealing with dry skin problems, urea cream can also treat various nail problems, such as ingrown toenails, fungal nail infections, and ingrown toenails.
Use Urea Cream Properly
You can get urea cream without or through a doctor's prescription. If you want to use it without a doctor's prescription, you are advised to read the instructions for use listed on the packaging. In addition, make sure you buy urea cream that has been registered with BPOM RI.
If you want to use urea cream, there are several things you need to pay attention to, including:
- Use urea cream as recommended by your doctor or the instructions for use listed on the package, for example 1-3 times a day.
- Wash your hands before applying urea cream.
- Apply the cream on dry skin or the problematic part of the nail according to the dose.
- Gently massage the skin until the cream is absorbed.
- Wash your hands again after applying urea cream, unless the cream is applied to the hand area.
You need to know that urea cream should only be used for the outer skin. Avoid applying urea cream in the area around the lips, mouth, nose, vagina, eyes, or injured skin.
Urea Cream Side Effects
Urea cream can cause mild side effects, such as itchy skin, redness, a burning sensation (stinging), or irritation. However, this cream can sometimes also cause allergic reactions.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should consult your doctor first before using creams or products that contain urea. You also need to be more careful when you are using certain topical medications for the skin to prevent possible drug interactions.
Dry, scaly, and rough skin problems can be overcome with urea cream and skincare right. If you still experience skin complaints or your skin problems get worse after using urea cream, you should immediately consult a doctor. Likewise if you experience an allergic reaction after using this cream.
