Urea foot cream side effects

What reactions should you watch for?

Mild stinging and itching are possible with urea preparations. With 40% creams, temporary burning and irritation are also possible, and these symptoms normally disappear after stopping the product. Persistent discomfort deserves advice from a pharmacist or doctor rather than repeated applications. Do not use a cream if you have a known or suspected allergy to one of its ingredients.123

Urea draws and retains water in the skin and softens the outer layer so loose, scaly skin can shed more easily. Softer, more supple skin is the useful result, not another permanent resident of the bathroom shelf.1

How to apply it without adding avoidable problems

1. 1Check the tops, soles and spaces between your toes for cuts, wounds and painful areas. Do not apply urea to broken, bleeding, infected or oozing skin, or areas with severe widespread redness.
2. 2Wash your feet and dry them thoroughly, including between the toes. Moisturising creams are best applied after washing and patting the skin dry.
3. 3For routine foot moisturising, apply a suitable 10% or 20% urea cream to the tops and bottoms of your feet every day. Avoid the spaces between your toes. Follow your own product's directions; prescription 40% cream should be used as your doctor directs.
4. 4Wait a few minutes for the cream to absorb before walking, because freshly moisturised feet can be slippery.

What are the side effects of 40% urea cream?

Temporary stinging, burning, itching and irritation are recognised side effects of 40% urea cream. Directions differ between products: Method Pharmaceuticals' prescription cream is used as directed by a physician, while URISEC 40 has directions for twice daily use. URISEC 40 also tells you to wash excess cream off unaffected skin, including your hands, and to stop and seek advice if symptoms worsen or last more than seven days. Keep these creams away from eyes, lips and mucous membranes.236

What are the side effects of 10% urea cream?

The general side effects of urea preparations, including 10% creams, are mild stinging, itching and a rash. A 10% cream is a routine foot moisturising option, but it still needs the same precautions around broken or infected skin. Ask a podiatrist which strength suits your feet.14

Urea moisturisers are particularly useful for scaling skin or when other moisturisers have not helped. An ordinary moisturiser is another option for dry skin, so the foot cream aisle need not become a collecting hobby.7

When should you get advice?

Get medical advice for swelling, heat, pain, discharge or redness that could signal a foot infection. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask a healthcare professional before using 40% urea cream. For children, suitability depends on age, strength and whether a dry skin condition has been diagnosed; do not assume an adult foot cream is suitable.146

If you use a steroid cream or another skin treatment on your feet, leave 20 to 30 minutes between that treatment and an emollient, and ask your doctor which goes first. Keep cream contaminated socks, clothing and bedding away from flames and cigarettes: emollient residue makes fabrics catch fire more easily, and washing does not remove it completely.5