Triple-action remedy for removing toxic oils from skin with simultaneous soothing and healing

Abstract

Disclosed are formulae and methods for the simultaneous relief of a variety of unpleasant symptoms of poison ivy on the skin. The compositions of the present invention remove toxic urushiol, relieve itching of the skin from urushiol, and heal the dermatitis caused by urushiol. A preferred embodiment of the invention is a topical dosage form which can be applied as often as desired, may be scrubbed onto the skin, and leaves a soothing effect on the skin after rinsing with warm water.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for removing urushiol from a person's skin while simultaneously relieving and healing contact dermatitis associated with urushiol contact comprising the steps of
 i) firstly applying to the exposed skin a composition made by combining:
 a) three surfactants consisting of about 14 weight percent of polysorbate 20, and about 14 weight percent of polyoxyethylene (4) lauryl ether, and about 1 weight percent of coconut diethanolamide; 
 b) a thickening agent consisting of about 1 weight percent of a so carbomer; 
 c) a preservative consisting of about 0.15 weight percent of benzethonium chloride; 
 d) a topical analgesic consisting of about 10 weight percent of grindelia robusta extract; 
 e) an inert scrubbing medium consisting of about 7.8 weight percent polyethylene beads; 
 f) about 0.5 0.05 weight percent of at least one fragrance; and 
 g) about 52 weight percent purified water; in a form allowing for application to skin; followed by 
 
 ii) secondly cleansing the skin by rubbing the composition into the affected area; followed by 
 iii) thirdly rinsing the affected area with water to clean away dead skin and debris; 
 
       resulting in finally leaving the person's skin free of urushiol whilst soothing said skin. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the desired result, leaving the person's skin free of urushiol, is initiated by the person applying the composition to irritated skin. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition is able to be scrubbed onto the skin before rinsing with water. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition is able to be applied as many times as desired following the initial application until the symptoms of contact dermatitis are relieved. 
     
     
       5. A method for removing urushiol from a person's skin while simultaneously relieving and healing contact dermatitis associated with urushiol contact, the method comprising:
 (i) first, applying to an exposed, affected area of the person's skin a composition comprising:
 (a) a non-zero amount, up to about 35 weight percent of the composition, of a mixture of surfactants, the mixture of surfactants including polysorbate 20, polyoxyethylene (4) lauryl ether, and an alkanolamine; 
 (b) a non-zero amount, up to about 1 weight percent of the composition, of a carbomer; 
 (c) a non-zero amount, up to about 0.30 weight percent of the composition, of benzethonium chloride; 
 (d) a non-zero amount, up to about 10 weight percent of the composition, of grindelia robusta extract; 
 (e) a non-zero amount, up to about 15 weight percent of the composition, of polyethylene beads; 
 (f) a non-zero amount, up to about 1 weight percent of the composition, of at least one fragrance; and 
 (g) a non-zero amount, forming a balance the composition, of purified water, 
   (ii) second, after applying the composition to the skin, cleansing affected area of the skin by rubbing the composition into the affected area, and   (iii) third, after cleansing the affected area, rinsing the affected area with water to clean away dead skin and debris, thereby leaving the affected area substantially free of urushiol whilst soothing the affected area of the person's skin.    
     
     
       6. The method of claim 5 wherein the composition comprises:
 (a) a non-zero amount, up to about 29 weight percent of the composition, of the mixture of three surfactants, the mixture of surfactants including about 14 weight percent of polysorbate 20, about 14 weight percent of polyoxyethylene (4) lauryl ether, and the alkanolamine;   (b) about 1 weight percent of the carbomer;   (c) about 0.15 weight percent of benzethonium chloride;   (d) about 10 weight percent of grindelia robusta extract;   (e) about 7.8 weight percent of the polyethylene beads;   (f) about 0.05 weight percent of the at least one fragrance; and   (g) the balance of purified water.    
     
     
       7. The method of claim 5 wherein the composition is scrubbed onto the skin before rinsing with water.  
     
     
       8. The method of claim 5 further comprising repeating steps (i), (ii), and (iii) as many times as desired following a first application until the symptoms of contact dermatitis are relieved.  
     
     
       9. A method for removing urushiol from a person's skin while simultaneously relieving and healing contact dermatitis associated with urushiol contact, the method comprising:
 (i) first, applying to an exposed, affected area of the person's skin a composition comprising:
 (a) a non-zero amount, up to about 35 weight percent of the composition, of a mixture of surfactants, the mixture of surfactants consisting of polysorbate 20, polyoxyethylene (4) lauryl ether, and an alkanolamine; 
 (b) a thickening agent consisting of a non-zero amount, up to about 1 weight percent of the composition, of a carbomer; 
 (c) a preservative consisting of a non-zero amount, up to about 0.30 weight percent of the composition, of benzethonium chloride; 
 (d) a topical analgesic consisting of a non-zero amount, up to about 10 weight percent of the composition, of grindelia robusta extract; 
 (e) an inert scrubbing medium consisting of a non-zero amount, up to about 15 weight percent of the composition, of polyethylene beads; 
 (f) a non-zero amount, up to about 1 weight percent a non-zero amount, of at least one fragrance; and 
 (g) a non-zero amount, forming a balance the composition, of purified water, 
   (ii) second, after applying the composition to the skin, cleansing affected area of the skin by rubbing the composition into the affected area, and   (iii) third, after cleansing the affected area, rinsing the affected area with water to clean away dead skin and debris, thereby leaving the affected area substantially free of urushiol whilst soothing the affected area of the person's skin.    
     
     
       10. The method of claim 9 wherein the composition comprises:
 (a) a non-zero amount, up to about 29 weight percent of the composition, of the mixture of three surfactants, the mixture of surfactants consisting of about 14 weight percent of polysorbate 20, about 14 weight percent of polyoxyethylene (4) lauryl ether, and the alkanolamine;   (b) the thickening agent consisting of about 1 weight percent of the carbomer;   (c) the preservative consisting of about 0.15 weight percent of benzethonium chloride;   (d) the topical analgesic consisting of about 10 weight percent of grindelia robusta extract;   (e) the inert scrubbing medium consisting of about 7.8 weight percent of the polyethylene beads;   (f) about 0.05 weight percent of at least one fragrance; and   (g) the balance of purified water.    
     
     
       11. The method of claim 9 wherein the composition is scrubbed onto the skin before rinsing with water.  
     
     
       12. The method of claim 9 further comprising repeating steps (i), (ii), and (iii) as many times as desired following an first application until the symptoms of contact dermatitis are relieved.