A UK steering group met in January 2020 to review the current landscape of emollient use in the treatment and prevention of diabetic foot complications and identify key topics in the diabetes care pathway.
There was a high level of consensus on key recommendations to support the need for improved management of diabetes foot concerns (particularly hyperkeratosis) at the earliest point in order to reduce the incidence and consequences of diabetes foot ulcers. There is a clear need for the inclusion of the role of urea-based emollients in preventing foot ulcers in people with diabetes by effectively treating dry skin and hyperkeratosis.
This studies key recommendations are offered in order to provide clinicians with guidance on the optimal emollient treatment and prevention of diabetes-related foot complications.
With the pragmatic difficulty in obtaining evidence from randomised studies, this approach to research, gathering evidence and the strong consensus achieved, really supports what we have seen in clinical practice regarding the need for regular use of urea based emollients for people with diabetes
stated the recommended concentration of urea-based emollient for treatment of hyperkeratosis is 10–25%
stated people with diabetes and hyperkeratosis require daily application of urea-based emollient for use on the feet
stated the cost of preventing diabetes foot complications is lower than treating the consequences of foot complications
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