Comparison of salicylic acid and urea versus ammonium lactate for the treatment of foot xerosis. A randomized, double-blind, clinical study.
Xerosis is defined as dehydration of skin characterized by redness, dry scaling, and fine crackling that may resemble the crackling of porcelain. The present double-blind trial was a randomized paired comparison study evaluating the keratolytic effect of 5% salicylic acid and 10% urea ointment (Kerasal) on one foot and 12% ammonium lactate lotion (Lac-Hydrin) on the other foot in mild-to-moderate xerosis. Seventy patients were initially enrolled in the trial. Fifty-four patients were evaluated after 2 weeks of treatment; of those 54 patients, 39 were evaluated after 4 weeks of treatment. Although there was significant improvement in severity of xerosis after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, there was no statistically significant difference between treatment groups. Irrespective of the mechanism of action, this study shows that both Kerasal and Lac-Hydrin 12% lotion result in reduction in the severity of xerosis after 4 weeks of therapy.
New York College of Podiatric Medicine, NY 10035, USA.
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Jennings
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Alfieri
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K
Ward
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Lesczczynski
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011422:Propionates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012459:Salicylates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020156:Salicylic Acid; D014508:Urea / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; C114388:Kerasal; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D011422:Propionates; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D012459:Salicylates; D019344:Lactic Acid; C114389:Lac-Hydrin; D014508:Urea; D020156:Salicylic Acid