How is ammonia lactate used to treat dry skin conditions?

Ammonia Lactate for Dry Skin Conditions

Ammonia lactate 12% lotion is indicated for the treatment of dry, scaly skin (xerosis) and ichthyosis vulgaris, and provides effective moisturization through its humectant properties and ability to decrease corneocyte cohesion. 1

Mechanism of Action

Ammonia lactate (ammonium lactate) works through several mechanisms:

• Acts as a humectant, influencing hydration of the stratum corneum
• Decreases corneocyte cohesion in the skin
• Contains lactic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid that is a normal constituent of tissues and blood
• Approximately 5.8% of the material is absorbed after 68 hours when applied to the skin 1

Clinical Applications

Ammonia lactate 12% lotion is specifically FDA-approved for:

• Treatment of dry, scaly skin (xerosis)
• Treatment of ichthyosis vulgaris
• Temporary relief of itching associated with these conditions 1

Application Guidelines

• Apply to affected areas once or twice daily
• Best applied after bathing when skin is still slightly damp
• Can be used as part of a regular skin care regimen for maintenance therapy
• Should be massaged into the skin until absorbed

Efficacy

• Clinical studies show that ammonia lactate 12% lotion provides significant improvement in skin dryness and hydration
• Improvement in skin hydration can be observed as early as day 3 of treatment 2
• Patients report significant improvements in skin dryness and itch by day 1 of treatment, with continued improvement through day 7 2

Comparison with Other Treatments

• When compared with 40% urea cream, ammonia lactate 12% showed effective results but may take longer to achieve the same level of improvement 3
• In a clinical trial comparing pure lanolin versus ammonia lactate 12% cream for foot xerosis, both treatments showed significant improvement after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, with no statistically significant differences between them 4

Potential Side Effects and Considerations

• Burning and stinging sensations are common concerns with topical lactic acid preparations
• Studies show that lactic acid 10% with strontium causes less burning/stinging than ammonia lactate 12% 5
• May cause mild irritation, especially on broken or inflamed skin
• Should be avoided on open wounds or severely inflamed skin

Special Applications

• Can be used in combination with other treatments for specific conditions
• Has been successfully used in combination with 0.05% tretinoin cream to treat acanthosis nigricans associated with obesity 6

Patient Education

• Patients should be advised to:
  • Apply to clean, dry skin
  • Expect possible mild stinging upon initial application
  • Continue regular use for optimal results
  • Avoid application to broken or irritated skin
  • Use sunscreen during daytime as alpha-hydroxy acids may increase sun sensitivity

Practical Tips for Optimal Use

• For severe xerosis, consider using in combination with emollients
• For best results, apply immediately after bathing while skin is still slightly damp
• Can be used under occlusion for enhanced penetration in severe cases
• Consistent daily application is key to maintaining results

Ammonia lactate 12% lotion is a well-established, effective treatment for dry skin conditions with documented efficacy in improving skin hydration and reducing symptoms of xerosis.