The Uses for Urea Cream
Urea is the main ingredient in many topical skin creams that are most often used as skin moisturizers. Urea cream has several other potential uses, such as treating nail fungus and cervicitis. You can use urea cream topically by applying it to your skin, but you shouldn’t take it by mouth. You should discuss any potential side effects or interactions with other medications with your physician before using urea cream.
Skin Moisturizer
You can use urea cream topically as a skin moisturizer. Urea cream acts as an emollient to soften the skin, explains the University of Michigan Health System. Urea also acts to remove dead skin, states the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. You should not apply urea cream on any skin areas with wounds or eczema or on skin that is sunburned, chapped or irritated.
- You can use urea cream topically as a skin moisturizer.
- Urea cream acts as an emollient to soften the skin, explains the University of Michigan Health System.
Acne Treatment
Flaky, Crusty Peeling Skin on Eyelids
Learn More
If you have acne, applying urea cream to your skin may help to clear it up. Topical urea creams are often used to treat acne, notes the University of Michigan Health System. When you’re applying urea cream to your face to treat acne, keep the cream away from your mouth, eyes and nose because it may cause burning, warns UPMC.
Treating Nail Fungus
Urea cream may also help to treat some nail conditions, particularly nail fungus, reports UPMC. When you apply urea cream topically to your nails, it can help to increase the absorption of topical antifungal medications for the nails, the Mayo Clinic explains. You likely won’t see a complete cure of fungal nail conditions from using urea cream alone, however.
Cervicitis Treatment
How to Get Rid of Skin Fungus From Tanning Beds
Learn More
Urea cream may help to treat cervicitis. Cervicitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the cervix in women, the Mayo Clinic explains. When you apply urea cream vaginally, it can help to treat cervicitis and reduce inflammation, notes UPMC. You should consult your doctor before using urea cream vaginally to treat cervicitis, especially if you’re pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breast-feeding.
- Urea cream may help to treat cervicitis.
- You should consult your doctor before using urea cream vaginally to treat cervicitis, especially if you’re pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breast-feeding.
Related Articles
References
- University of Michigan Health System: Benzoyl Peroxide and Urea Topical
- Mayo Clinic: Cervicitis
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center: Urea
- Mayo Clinic: Nail Fungus Treatments and Drugs
- Ah Mew N, Simpson KL, Gropman AL, et al. Urea cycle disorders: Overview. 2003 Apr 29 [Updated 2017 Jun 22]. In: Adam MP, Ardinger HH, Pagon RA, et al., editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2018.
- Häberle J, Boddaert N, Burlina A, et al. Suggested guidelines for the diagnosis and management of urea cycle disorders. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2012 May 29;7:32. doi:10.1186/1750-1172-7-32
Resources
Writer Bio
Sarah Terry brings over 10 years of experience writing novels, business-to-business newsletters and a plethora of how-to articles. Terry has written articles and publications for a wide range of markets and subject matters, including Medicine & Health, Eli Financial, Dartnell Publications and Eli Journals.