Compositions and methods for topical treatment of skin infection

Abstract

The present invention describes an extremely effective, simple, novel, inexpensive, safe and quick method to treat both acne and warts, each with a different etiology and different clinical symptoms, by topically applying an effective amount of one or more polyvalent metal compounds. The polyvalent metal compounds include, but are not limited to, bismuth compounds, zinc compounds, magnesium compounds, aluminum compounds, calcium compounds, copper compounds, titanium compounds, manganese compounds, chromium compounds, barium compounds and iron compounds. The present invention can also be applied to the treatment of rosacea. The present invention can also be employed to prevent scarring and to facilitate healing or elimination of the scars once formed.

1 . A method for treating acne or warts comprising topically applying a therapeutically effective amount of one or more polyvalent metal compounds in a suitable dosage form to the area of lesion of the acne or warts.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , where the polyvalent metal compound is selected from the group consisting of a bismuth compound, a zinc compound, a magnesium compound, an aluminum compound, a calcium compound, a copper compound, a titanium compound, a manganese compound, a chromium compound, a barium compound and an iron compound.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein a bismuth compound is selected from the group consisting of bismuth subsalicylate, bismuth chloride, bismuth oxide, bismuth subcarbonate, bismuth subgallate, bismuth subnitrate, bismuth phosphate, bismuth aluminate, bismuth salicylate, bismuth tribromophenate, bismuth dipropylacetate, bismuth citrate, bismuth subcitrate, bismuth ascorbate, bismuth subcarbonate, bismuth tartrate and colloidal bismuth subcitrate.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein a zinc compound is selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfate, zinc acetate, zinc gluconate, zinc chloride, zinc carbonate, zinc oxide, zinc oleate, zinc stearate, zinc propionate, zinc salicylate and zinc undecenoate.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein a magnesium compound is selected from the group consisting of magnesium acetate, magnesium ascorbate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium chloride, magnesium citrate, magnesium stearate, magnesium gluconate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium salicylate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium salicylate, magnesium lactate and magnesium oxide.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein an aluminum compound is selected from the group consisting of aluminum acetate, aluminum carbonate, aluminum chloride, aluminum potassium sulfate, aluminum glycinate, aluminum hydroxide, aluminum lactate, aluminum oxide, aluminum subacetate, aluminum sulfate, aluminum salicylate, aluminum ammonium sulfate and aluminum phosphate.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein a calcium compound is selected from the group consisting of calcium acetate, calcium alginate, calcium benzoate, calcium carbonate, calcium chloride, calcium citrate, calcium gluconate, calcium hydroxide, calcium lactate, calcium phosphate, calcium stearate, calcium sulfate, calcium salicylate and calcium oxide.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein a copper compound is selected from the group consisting of copper gluconate, copper salicylate and copper sulfate.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein a titanium compound is selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide, titanium peroxide, titanium salicylate and titanium tannate.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein an iron compound is selected from a group consisting of ferric chloride, ferric citrate, ferric oxide, ferric sulfate, ferrous ascorbate, ferrous carbonate, ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous fumarate, ferrous glycine, ferrous salicylate and ferrous lactate.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein a manganese compound is selected from the group consisting of manganese acetate, manganese benzoate, manganese borate, manganese carbonate, manganese salicylate, manganese bromide, manganese iodide and manganese diiodide.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein a barium compound is selected from the group consisting of barium sulfate, barium hydroxide, barium chloride, barium carbonate, and barium sulphide.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the polyvalent metal compound is selected from chromium potassium sulfate, chromium trichloride, chromium piconilate and chromium trioxide.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the polyvalent metal compound is selected from aluminum potassium sulfate, aluminum acetate, aluminum lactate, aluminum ammonium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium lactate, magnesium gluconate, magnesium acetate, zinc sulfate, zinc acetate and zinc gluconate.  
   
   
       15 . A method for treating rosacea comprising applying a therapeutically effective amount of one or more polyvalent metal compounds to the area of the infection.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the polyvalent metal compound is selected from the group consisting of a bismuth compound, a zinc compound, a magnesium compound, an aluminum compound, a calcium compound, a copper compound, a titanium compound, a manganese compound, a chromium compound, a barium compound and an iron compound.  
   
   
       17 . A method for preventing scar formation or for healing or sloughing of the scar once formed comprising topical application of a therapeutically effective amount of one or more polyvalent metal compounds to the area of the scar on the skin.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the polyvalent metal compound is selected from the group consisting of a bismuth compound, a zinc compound, a magnesium compound, an aluminum compound, a calcium compound, a copper compound, a titanium compound, a manganese compound, a chromium compound, a barium compound and an iron compound.