title: The action of a urea-lactic acid ointment in ichthyosis with particular reference to the thickness of the horny layer.
abstract: The effect of urea-lactic acid ointment on the scales of ichthyotic skin was assessed using the 'cell swelling' technique of Christophers & Kligman. The thickness of the horny layer and of the scales was reduced both by the ointment and by the base. The formation of scales was shown to differ from that in psoriasis where the scale forms at the apex of th a rete peg and is symmetrical whereas in ichthyosis the separation of the scale may be at an entirely different depth at one margin. There is an increase in the number of 'T' cells in X-linked recessive ichthyosis.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007057:Ichthyosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D007773:Lactates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009823:Ointment Bases / Q000494:pharmacology; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014508:Urea / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D007773:Lactates; D009823:Ointment Bases; D014212:Tretinoin; D014508:Urea