Medical skin care for diabetic skin – Behind the science of Eucerin UreaRepair PLUS Lotion 10% Urea

According to research by the International Diabetes Federation, more than 415 million adults worldwide have Diabetes (that’s one in every eleven people). By 2040, they predict that that number will rise to 642 million (one in every ten people).¹

There are a number of different types of Diabetes (or Diabetes mellitus as it is sometimes called). The most common form is Type 2 Diabetes – of the total number of people with Diabetes, approximately 90% have Type 2.
Type 2 Diabetes tends to be diagnosed in older people − with those between the ages of 60 and 79 being most affected – and is typically associated with an unbalanced diet, being overweight and a lack of exercise.
Type 1 Diabetes, on the other hand, is an auto-immune disease. The body’s immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells so that the body itself is no longer able to keep the blood glucose levels constant.

30 to 70% of all diabetic patients experience changes to their skin as a result of the disease.² The symptoms are many and varied: about 40% of patients suffer from dry skin³ some of whom also experience severe itching. Scaly skin, an increased susceptibility to infections and wounds that don’t heal easily are frequently caused by Diabetes.
One of the reasons for this is that, in patients with Diabetes, the body is no longer able to effectively regulate the blood glucose levels. A high blood sugar count damages blood vessels and nerves in the long term and has numerous effects on the various organs of the body – including the skin.

Before use:

A lack of lipids and moisture-binding substances.

After use:

Urea and other NMFs attract and bind in moisture. Ceramide strengthens the natural skin barrier and reduces moisture loss.

Diabetes can cause damage to nerve fibres and blood vessels and, as a result, the skin’s natural barrier function is compromised. Skin is less able to attract and retain the moisture it needs and so it dries out, becomes sensitive and the body’s immune defense system is weakened.
In addition to normal biological skin ageing and the various environmental influences that skin is exposed to, Diabetic skin suffers from additional pressures that particularly affect elderly diabetic patients. Potential problems include:

• An increased vulnerability to skin conditions such as dryness and itching
• Small injuries, especially common on the feet, that go undetected because of nerve damage making it easier for bacteria and fungi to infect the wound
• A compromised immune system which also makes patients more susceptible to infection

Thorough and regular body and foot care, using products proven to be suitable for – and effective on – diabetic skin is particularly important for diabetics.

 Eucerin UreaRepair PLUS Lotion 10% Urea contains an active formula that instantly soothes skin and gives it the long-lasting moisturisation it needs.

The rich body lotion absorbs quickly and soothes extremely dry skin that is prone to itchiness and flaking. It contains a unique, skin-friendly Repair PLUS complex − a highly effective combination of skin care ingredients that work together to combat several of the main causes of dry skin:

1. Urea: a Natural Moisturising Factor (NMF) that occurs naturally in skin. It binds water in to the outermost layers of skin, thereby ensuring that the surface of skin remains smooth.
2. Ceramide: part of the skin’s natural barrier, Ceramide prevents too much moisture from being lost due to evaporation. A healthy and strengthened skin barrier also defends against the irritants that can cause inflammation and itching.
3. Other NMFs: Lactate, Pyrrolidinecarboxylic Acid (PCA), Amino Acids, salts and Glucose. These substances also occur naturally in skin and bind water in to the outermost layers.

With the RepairPLUS complex, Eucerin UreaRepair PLUS Lotion 10% Urea works effectively in both the upper and lower layers of the epidermis relieving the symptoms of dry skin and strengthening the skin barrier.

 Clinical and dermatological studies have proven the lotion’s effectiveness with diabetic skin.

Eucerin UreaRepair PLUS Lotion 10% Urea is just one of the products in the Eucerin UreaRepair range proven to be effective with diabetic skin. The range also includes body creams, ointments and hand and foot creams.To find out more go to Eucerin UreaRepair PLUS range.

In order to demonstrate the efficacy of Eucerin UreaRepair PLUS Lotion 10% Urea, especially on diabetic skin, it was tested in a clinical study with 64 diabetic patients (Type 1 & 2) between the ages of 20 and 70 (the mean age was 56.7) years old. The sample suffered from dry to very dry skin and applied the lotion on their arms, legs and feet – twice daily and for two weeks.

The doctors and participating diabetics confirmed the effectiveness of the product.

Of the 64 participating diabetic patients:

• 98% said the product was suitable for diabetics
• 95% said the product was well tolerated by diabetic skin
• 94% said the product delivered intensive moisturisation
• 89% said the product effectively calms and cares for skin
• 88% said the product supports skin regeneration
• 84% said the product strengthens the skin barrier
• 78% said the product reduces itching

The outstanding effectiveness of Eucerin UreaRepair PLUS Lotion 10% Urea has been clinically and dermatologically proven by a study on affected patients:

•  The product helps to alleviate the symptoms of diabetic skin
•  The texture of the product made it easy, and pleasant, to apply
•  The product offers an effective and safe solution for caring for diabetic skin

(1): IDF Diabetes Atlas (7th ed.): a global report published by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), Brussels, Belgium (2015)

(2): Huntley A (1993) Cutaneous manifestations of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Metab Rev 9:161–176

(3): Goyal A, Raina S, Kaushal SS et al. Pattern of cutaneous manifestations in diabetes mellitus. Indian Journal of dermatology 201; 55:39-41