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Allantoin is found in many vegetal and animal sources, particularly in the leaves of Symphytum officinale, which contain 0.6-1.0% of this compound. Allantoin is the final product of purines metabolism in mammals but in primates. Currently, allantoin is synthetically produced and has demonstrated healing properties, promoting dead skin cells detachment and healthy tissue growth; it is safely used in 0.5-2.0% concentration; however, its mechanism of action remains unknown. Hypertrophic scars are an important esthetic and sometimes functional problem and for this reason, allantoin has been tested in this pathology. In rats, local allantoin improves experimental healing, which is evidenced by a lesser healing tissue growth, congestion and inflammation, and also by the stimulation of collagen skin deposition. In cesarean section surgical wound, topical allantoin improves skin colour and decreases stiffness and roughness of the healing area. Efficacy and safety of allantoin was demonstrated in patients with radiotherapy skin lesions and in patients with hypertrophic scars, in comparison to locally applied corticosteroids. Allantoin produces less adverse events, teleangiectasia and skin atrophy than steroidal agents, both within the scar and its sourrounding tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]