Compositions and kits for the removal of irritating compounds from bodily surfaces

Abstract

The invention provides compositions, methods and kits for the removal of harmful or irritating substances from bodily surfaces. Kits may include a composition containing capsaicin and a capsaicin-cleansing composition, e.g., a composition in which capsaicin is soluble.

1 . A method for treating an individual in need of treatment for a capsaicin-responsive condition comprising 
 (a) applying a first composition comprising capsaicin or a capsaicin analog to a bodily surface;    (b) applying a second composition in which capsaicin has a solubility of at least about 10% w/w to the bodily surface; and    (c) removing the second composition from the bodily surface.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising administering an anesthetic to the individual prior to or simultaneously with the application of the first composition.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the anesthetic is contained in a lotion or gel.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first composition is applied by affixing a skin-adherent patch containing the first composition to the bodily surface.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising administering an anesthetic to the individual prior to or simultaneously with the application of the skin-adherent patch.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the skin-adherent patch contains from about 5% to about 10% capsaicin.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein capsaicin has a solubility of at least about 20% (w/w) in the second composition.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second composition comprises at least 60% (w/w) polyethylene glycol.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the capsaicin-responsive condition is selected from the group consisting of neuropathic pain, pain produced by mixed nociceptive and/or neuropathic mixed etiologies, inflammatory hyperalgesia, dermatitis, pruritis, itch, psoriasis, warts, headaches, wrinkles and skin cancer.  
     
     
         10 . A method for cleansing a bodily surface that has been contacted with capsaicin or a capsaicin analog comprising: 
 a) applying to the bodily surface a composition in which capsaicin has a solubility of at least about 10% w/w; and    b) removing said composition from the bodily surface.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the substance is capsaicin.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein capsaicin has a solubility of at least about 20% w/w in the composition.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the composition comprises about 60 to about 99 percent w/w polyethylene glycol.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the composition further contains about 0.1 to about 4 percent w/w thickening agent, and the balance water.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the composition contains about 80 to about 99 percent w/w polyethylene glycol.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the composition further contains about 0.1 to about 2 percent w/w polyacrylate thickening agent and the balance water.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the composition contains about 87 to about 91 percent w/w polyethylene glycol.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the composition further contains about 0.3 to about 1.5 percent w/w polyacrylate thickening agent and the balance water.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the composition is at a pH of about 7.0 to about 7.7.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the composition further contains about 0.01 to about 0.03 percent w/w butylated hydroxyanisole, about 0.02 to about 0.2 percent w/w EDTA/EDTA salts, and the balance water.