[Biochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of urea].

In modern dermatology urea has two areas of application: --Applied topically urea is a pharmacologically active substance. It is moisturizing, keratolytic (in high concentrations only), desquamating, antipruritic, and antimicrobial. --Urea supplements and increases the effectivity of glucocorticoids, anthralin (dithranol) and tretinion. Urea-glucocorticoid combinations deserve special attention.