Method and composition for the treatment of scars

Abstract

A method and composition for treating healed wounds including hypertrophic scars so as to prevent scarring or reduce the size and improve the appearance of scars comprises applying to the healed wound or scar a composition comprising a fluid, film-forming carrier which may contain one or more active topical ingredients, the carrier hardening to a solid, tangible, membrane juxtaposed to the skin. Novel compositions using the film-forming carrier are also useful to treat a variety of adverse skin disorders, and internal physiological conditions.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method of treating healed wounds so as to prevent or reduce scarring and/or improve the appearance of scars comprises; applying onto a healed wound a composition comprising a fluid, film-forming carrier, and subsequently hardening the carrier into a tangible membrane juxtaposed to the healed wound thereby reducing scarring or improving the appearance thereof.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the film-forming carrier comprises Collodion or Flexible Collodion.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition is applied onto the healed wound by brushing, rolling, extruding or applying drops of said composition.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said composition is applied to the healed wound by brushing.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition includes an active ingredient capable of reducing scarring or improving the appearance of scars selected from a topical steroid, silicone-gel, vitamin and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said active ingredient includes a corticosteroid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said active ingredient comprises a combination of a topical steroid and silicone-gel.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said active ingredient is a silicone-gel.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said composition further includes vitamin E.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said film-forming carrier is a cellulosic derivative.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said cellulosic derivative is nitrocellulose.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said cellulosic derivative is methyl cellulose.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said film-forming carrier comprises a silicone resin.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said healed wound comprises a hypertrophic scar.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said healed wound is one formed after surgery.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said healed wound is formed after accidental trauma.  
     
     
         17 . A method of treating immunological skin disorders comprising applying onto an area of skin affected by said skin disorder a fluid, film-forming carrier having contained therein a steroid, and hardening the carrier into a tangible, membrane juxtaposed to said affected area.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said skin disorder is eczema, psoriasis, or atopic dermatitis.  
     
     
         19 . A composition for treating adverse skin conditions comprising a fluid, film-forming carrier and an active ingredient comprising a topically active steroid or, a silicone-gel or mixture thereof, said carrier capable of hardening to a tangible membrane.  
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein said active ingredient is a topically active steroid comprising at least one corticosteroid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.  
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein said active ingredient is a silicone-gel.  
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 21 , wherein said silicone-gel is phenyltrimethicone.  
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein said active ingredient comprises a mixture of said steroid and silicone-gel.  
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein said active ingredient further contains a vitamin.  
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein said active ingredient comprises a mixture of said topical steroid, a silicone-gel, and optionally, vitamin E.  
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein said film-forming carrier comprises a cellulosic derivative.  
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 26 , wherein said cellulosic derivative is nitrocellulose  
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 25 , wherein said film-forming carrier comprises nitrocellulose.  
     
     
         29 . The composition of  claim 26 , wherein said cellulosic derivative is methylcelluose.  
     
     
         30 . A method of treating healed wounds so as to prevent or reduce scarring and/or improve the appearance of scars comprises: 
 applying onto a healed wound a topical composition comprising collagenase.    
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said topical composition comprises collagenase contained within a fluid, film-forming carrier, subsequent to applying said composition onto said healed wound, hardening said carrier into a tangible membrane juxtaposed to the healed wound.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said topical composition comprises collagenase contained within a topical creme, ointment, lotion or gel.  
     
     
         33 . A method of administering an analgesic comprising mixing an analgesic within a fluid, film-forming carrier, applying said mixture as a fluid onto the skin, whereby said film-forming carrier containing said analgesic hardens to a tangible membrane juxtaposed to the skin surface.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein said analgesic is a topical anesthetic.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein said analgesic is transdermally administered parenterally.  
     
     
         36 . A method of treating cancer comprising mixing a chemotherapeutic agent into a fluid, film-forming carrier to form a mixture, applying said mixture as a fluid onto the skin surface, said carrier containing said chemotherapeutic agent hardening into a tangible membrane juxtaposed to said skin surface.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein said cancer is a skin cancer and said mixture is applied topically thereto.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein said cancer is contained within internal tissues and said chemotherapeutic agent is transdermally administered subsequent to formation of said membrane.  
     
     
         39 . A method of providing an internal physiological effect to a mammal comprising mixing an active ingredient having an internal physiological effect with a film-forming carrier to form a fluid mixture, applying said fluid mixture to the skin of said mammal, said fluid, film-forming carrier containing said active ingredient hardening to a tangible membrane juxtaposed to the skin whereby said active ingredient can be transdermally administered to internal tissue.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein said active ingredient is a vasodilator.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein said active ingredient suppresses drug-addictive cravings.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein said active ingredient is nicotine.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein said active ingredient is a bronchial dilator.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein said active ingredient is an antihistamine.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein said antihistamine is benadryl.  
     
     
         46 . A composition comprising a topically effective anesthetic mixed within a fluid, film-forming carrier, said carrier capable of hardening to a tangible membrane juxtaposed to the topical site of application.  
     
     
         47 . A composition comprising an active ingredient having an internal physiological effect on a mammal mixed within a fluid, film-forming carrier, said carrier capable of hardening to a tangible membrane juxtaposed to the topical site of application.  
     
     
         48 . The composition of  claim 47 , wherein said active ingredient is nicotine.  
     
     
         49 . The composition of  claim 47 , wherein said active ingredient is vasodilator.  
     
     
         50 . The composition of  claim 47 , wherein said active ingredient suppresses drug-addictive cravings.  
     
     
         51 . The composition of  claim 47 , wherein said active ingredient is a bronchial dilator.  
     
     
         52 . The composition of  claim 47 , wherein said active ingredient is an antihistamine.  
     
     
         53 . The composition of claim  52 , wherein said antihistamine is benadryl.  
     
     
         54 . The composition of  claim 47 , wherein said active ingredient is an opioid.