Capsaicinoid decontamination compositions and methods of use

Abstract

A therapeutic composition for inhibiting physiological responses elicited by exposure of skin to an irritant can be used to treat exposure to capsaicinoids or other chemical irritants. The therapeutic composition can include a carrier being present in an effective amount and form sufficient to be applied to skin and deliver active agents to the skin which has been previously exposed to a capsaicinoid. Also, the therapeutic composition can include a cooling agent in an effective amount within the carrier to provide a cooling sensation to the skin. Further, the therapeutic composition can include a capsaicin receptor antagonist in an effective amount within the carrier to inhibit calcium flux associated with activation of the capsaicin receptor by a capsaicinoid. The therapeutic composition can be part of a kit that also includes a cleansing composition, which is capable of cleaning and/or absorbing capsaicinoids from the skin.

1 . A therapeutic composition for inhibiting physiological responses elicited by exposure of skin to an irritant, the composition comprising: 
 a carrier being present in an effective amount and form sufficient to be applied to skin and deliver active agents to the skin, the skin having been previously exposed to a capsaicinoid;    a cooling agent in an effective amount within the carrier to provide a cooling sensation to the skin; and    a capsaicin receptor antagonist in an effective amount within the carrier to inhibit calcium flux associated with activation of the capsaicin receptor by a capsaicinoid.    
   
   
       2 . A composition as in  claim 1 , further comprising an anti-inflammatory agent in an effective amount within the carrier so as to be capable of penetrating into the skin and reducing inflammation associated with the capsaicinoid exposure.  
   
   
       3 . A composition as in  claim 2 , wherein the composition is characterized by at least one of the following: 
 the carrier being comprised of water and a thickening agent, wherein the thickening agent is comprised of at least one of celluloses, carboxyvinyl polymers, polyhydroxyacids, alginates, polyacrylic acids, pentosans, polysulfates, polyorthoesters, polysaccharides, or natural gums;    the cooling agent is at least one of aloe vera, menthol, peppermint oil, or derivative thereof;    the capsaicin receptor antagonist is at least one of a zinc compound or a magnesium compound; or    the anti-inflammatory agent is at least one of a salicylic acid, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, steroidal agent, or cyclooxygenase inhibitor.    
   
   
       4 . A composition as in  claim 3 , wherein the composition is characterized by at least one of the following: 
 the thickening agent is present from about 0. 1% to about 30% by weight;    the cooling agent is present from about 0.001% to about 50% by weight;    the capsaicin receptor antagonist is present from 0.001% to about 2% by weight; or    the anti-inflammatory agent is included in the composition at about 0.001% to about 10% by weight.    
   
   
       5 . A method for decontaminating and treating skin exposed to the irritant, the method comprising: 
 applying a cleansing composition to the skin in an amount sufficient to absorb the capsaicinoid into the cleansing composition; and    applying the therapeutic composition of  claim 1  to the skin in an amount sufficient to inhibit or treat physiological effects associated with expose to the irritant.    
   
   
       6 . A method as in  claim 5 , further comprising removing the cleansing composition from the skin before applying the therapeutic composition.  
   
   
       7 . A method as in  claim 6 , wherein the cleansing composition is comprised of: 
 a carrier;    a surfactant;    a chelating agent; and    at least one of a keratinolytic agent, anti-inflammatory agent, or an antipyretic agent.    
   
   
       8 . A decontamination composition for cleansing and treating skin that has been exposed to a an irritant, the composition comprising: 
 a carrier being present in an effective amount and form sufficient to be applied to the skin, absorb capsaicinoids from the skin, and deliver one or more active agents to the skin;    a surfactant in an effective amount within the carrier sufficient to transport at least a portion of the capsaicinoid from the skin and into the carrier;    a chelating agent in an effective amount within the carrier sufficient to chelate free calcium on or in the skin;    a cooling agent in an effective amount within the carrier to provide a cooling sensation to the skin;    a capsaicin receptor antagonist in an effective amount within the carrier to inhibit calcium flux associated with activation of the capsaicin receptor by a capsaicinoid; and    at least one of a keratinolytic agent, antipyretic agent, or anti-inflammatory agent in an effective amount sufficient to provide at least one of keratinolytic activity, antipyretic activity, or anti-inflammatory activity.    
   
   
       9 . A composition as in  claim 8 , wherein the composition is characterized by at least one of the following: 
 the carrier being comprised of water and a thickening agent, wherein the thickening agent is at least one of a cellulose, carboxyvinyl polymers, polyhydroxyacids, alginates, polyacrylic acids, pentosans, polysulfates, polyorthoesters, polysaccharides, or natural gums;    the surfactant is at least one of anionic, amphoteric, cationic, or zwitterionic;    the cooling agent is at least one of aloe vera, menthol, peppermint oil, or a derivative thereof;    the chelating agent is at least one of ethylenediamine, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, hydroxyethylenediamine triacetic acid, nitriolotriacetic acid, citric acids, acetic acid, an amino acid, a peptide, pentasodium pentacetate, or dipicolinic acid;    the capsaicin receptor antagonist is at least one of a zinc compound or a magnesium compound;    the keratinolytic agent is salicylic acid;    the antipyretic agent is at least one of acetylsalicylic acid, acetaminophen, a febrifuges, or an alcohol; or    the anti-inflammatory agent is at least one of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, steroidal agent, or cyclooxygenase inhibitor.    
   
   
       10 . A composition as in  claim 9 , wherein the composition is characterized by at least one of the following: 
 the thickening agent is from about 0.1% to about 30% by weight;    the surfactant is from about 4% to about 60% by weight;    the chelating agent is from about 0.1% to about 30% by weight;    the cooling agent is from about 0.001% to about 50% by weight;    the capsaicin receptor antagonist is from about 0.001% to about 2% by weight;    the keratinolytic agent is from about about 0.001% to about 10% by weight;    the antipyretic agent is from about 0.001% to about 10% by weight; or    the anti-inflammatory agent is from about 0.001% to about 10% by weight.    
   
   
       11 . A method for decontaminating and treating skin that has been exposed to the irritant, the method comprising: 
 applying the decontamination composition of  claim 8  to the skin in an amount sufficient to absorb a capsaicinoid into the decontamination composition;    retaining the decontamination composition on the skin for a duration sufficient to deliver at least one of a cooling agent, capsaicin receptor antagonist keratinolytic agent, antipyretic agent, or anti-inflammatory agent so as to treat or prevent a physiological response to capsaicinoid exposure; and    removing the decontamination composition containing the capsaicinoid from the skin.    
   
   
       12 . A kit for cleansing and treating skin exposed to an irritant, the kit comprising: 
 a cleansing composition comprising: 
 a carrier;  
 a surfactant;  
 a chelating agent; and  
 at least one of a keratinolytic agent, anti-inflammatory agent, or an antipyretic agent; and  
   a therapeutic composition comprising: 
 a carrier;  
 a cooling agent; and  
 a capsaicin receptor antagonist.  
   
   
   
       13 . A kit as in  claim 12 , wherein the therapeutic composition further comprises an anti-inflammatory agent.  
   
   
       14 . A kit as in  claim 13 , wherein the cleansing composition and/or therapeutic composition are characterized by at least one of the following: 
 the carrier being comprised of water and a thickening agent, wherein the thickening agent is at least one of a cellulose, carboxyvinyl polymers, polyhydroxyacids, alginates, polyacrylic acids, pentosans, polysulfates, polyorthoesters, polysaccharides, or natural gums;    the surfactant is at least one of anionic, amphoteric, cationic, or zwitterionic;    the cooling agent is at least one of aloe vera, menthol, peppermint oil, or derivative thereof,    the chelating agent is at least one of ethylenediamine, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, hydroxyethylenediamine triacetic acid, nitriolotriacetic acid, citric acids, acetic acid, an amino acid, a peptide, pentasodium pentacetate, or dipicolinic acid;    the capsaicin receptor antagonist is at least one of a zinc compound or a magnesium compound;    the keratinolytic agent is salicylic acid;    the antipyretic agent is at least one of acetylsalicylic acid, acetaminophen, a febrifuges, or an alcohol; or    the anti-inflammatory agent is at least one of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, steroidal agent, or cyclooxygenase inhibitor.    
   
   
       15 . A kit as in  claim 14 , wherein the cleansing composition and/or therapeutic composition are characterized by at least one of the following: 
 the thickening agent is from about 0.1% to about 30% by weight;    the surfactant is from about 4% to about 60% by weight;    the chelating agent is from about 0. 1% to about 30% by weight;    the cooling agent is from about 0.001% to about 50% by weight;    the capsaicin receptor antagonist is from about 0.001% to about 2% by weight;    the keratinolytic agent is from about about 0.001% to about 10% by weight;    the antipyretic agent is from about 0.001% to about 10% by weight; or    the anti-inflammatory agent is from about 0.001% to about 10% by weight.    
   
   
       16 . A kit as in  claim 12 , wherein the cleansing composition is comprised of: 
 water at about 73.85% by weight;    sodium laureth sulfate at about 20% by weight;    tetra sodium EDTA at about 2% by weight;    salicylic acid at about 2% by weight;    magnesium aluminum silicate at about 1.5% by weight;    xanthan gum 0.15% by weight;    zinc gluconate 0.001% by weight; and    magnesium gluconate 0.001% by weight.    
   
   
       17 . A kit as in  claim 13 , wherein the therapeutic composition is comprised of: 
 water at about 81% by weight;    aloe vera at about 6% by weight;    di-propylene glycol at about 5% by weight;    magnesium aluminum silicate at about 3% by weight;    salicylic acid at about 2% by weight;    tetra sodium at about EDTA 2% by weight;    xanthan gum at about 0.15% by weight;    zinc gluconate at about 0.001% by weight; or    magnesium gluconate at about 0.001% by weight.    
   
   
       18 . A method for cleansing and treating skin exposed to an irritant, the method comprising: 
 applying the cleansing composition of  claim 12  to the skin in an amount sufficient to absorb a capsaicinoid into the cleansing composition; and    applying the therapeutic composition of  claim 12  to the skin in an amount sufficient to inhibit or treat physiological effects associated with exposure to the irritant.    
   
   
       19 . A method as in  claim 18 , further comprising removing the cleansing composition from the skin before applying the therapeutic composition.  
   
   
       20 . A method as in  claim 19 , wherein at least one of the cleansing composition or therapeutic composition is applied using an absorbent wipe impregnated therewith.