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.

Xerotic skin is a pattern of reaction to a variety of disorders that have abnormalities of desquamation in common. This double-blind, randomized clinical trial investigated the effect of Lactinol (Pedinol Pharmaceuticals, Farmingdale, New York) versus Lac-Hydrin 12% (Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey) lotion in mild to moderate foot xerosis. Clinical assessment of xerosis was performed at baseline visit, and the designated sites were evaluated at 2 and 4 weeks after treatment began. Of the 53 patients enrolled, 18 were excluded from analysis. Although both treatment groups had significantly improved xerosis scores after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, no statistically significant difference was observed. Of the 44% of patients who did express a preference, 72% preferred Lactinol, which may account for the 20% increase in its overall use in the study.

Although there are gaps in the public knowledge, our study revealed a greater familiarity with podiatry and the DPM degree than originally thought.

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