Conclusions No conclusive recommendations were possible due to wide variation in study quality , method ologies and outcome measures .
A synthesis of available literature suggests that treatments containing urea as a primary active ingredient have been the most research ed .
Background Xerosis , literally dryness of the skin , of the foot is a common condition encountered clinical ly , which can lead to discomfort and predisposition to infection .
Currently , there are no evidence -based recommendations on which moisturiser formulations best alleviate xerotic symptoms .
The aim of this review was to guide clinical practice in the treatment of primary and diabetes related foot xerosis , by identifying from the existing literature the most effective ingredient or formulation of topical treatments for symptoms of primary foot xerosis in the general population .
An urea, arginine and carnosine based cream (Ureadin Rx Db ISDIN) shows greater efficacy in the treatment of severe xerosis of the feet in Type 2 diabetic patients in comparison with glycerol-based emollient cream. A randomized, assessor-blinded, controlled trial
Background Xerosis is a common skin disorder frequently observed in diabetic patients . An effective hydration of foot skin in diabetics is a relevant preventive strategy in order to maintain a healthy foot . Urea is considered an effective hydrating and emollient topical product . The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of topical urea 5 % with arginine and carnosine ( Ureadin Rx Db , ISDIN Spain ) ( UC ) in comparison with glycerol-based emollient topical product ( Dexeryl , Pierre Fabre ) ( EC ) , in Type 2 diabetic patients . Methods We assessed the effect of UC on skin hydration in a r and omized , evaluator-blinded comparative study in 40 type II diabetic patients , aged 40–75 years , treated with UC or the comparator for 28 days with a twice-daily application . The principal outcomes were the Dryness Area Severity Index ( DASI ) Score and the Visual Analogue Score ( VAS ) for skin dryness evaluated at baseline and at the end of study period by an investigator unaware of treatment allocation . Results UC induced significantly greater hydration than EC with an 89 % reduction in DASI score ( from 1.6 to 0.2 ; p < 0.001 ) in comparison with baseline values . After 4 weeks , compared with the control group , DASI score in UC treated group was significantly lower ( 0.2 vs. 1.0 ; p = 0.048 ) . VAS score ( high values mean better hydration ) significantly increased in both groups during treatment . VAS score at the end of treatment period was significantly higher in UC group in comparison with EC group ( 9.8 vs. 8.2 ; p = 0.05 ) . Conclusion Application of urea 5 % , arginine and carnosine cream increases skin hydration and alleviates the condition of skin dryness in Type 2 diabetic patients in comparison with a control glycerol-based emollient product . ( Dutch Trials Register trial number 3328 )
Conclusions No conclusive recommendations were possible due to wide variation in study quality , method ologies and outcome measures .
A synthesis of available literature suggests that treatments containing urea as a primary active ingredient have been the most research ed .
Background Xerosis , literally dryness of the skin , of the foot is a common condition encountered clinical ly , which can lead to discomfort and predisposition to infection .
Currently , there are no evidence -based recommendations on which moisturiser formulations best alleviate xerotic symptoms .
The aim of this review was to guide clinical practice in the treatment of primary and diabetes related foot xerosis , by identifying from the existing literature the most effective ingredient or formulation of topical treatments for symptoms of primary foot xerosis in the general population .