Zinc Salt Compositions for the Prevention of Dermal and Mucosal Irritation

Abstract

The present invention provides for compositions and methods that may offer protection from irritants as well as antimicrobial protection. Preferred embodiments of the invention include topical antimicrobial compositions that lack conventional antibiotics or preservatives, wherein the antimicrobial benefit is created by essential oils (or their active ingredients), emollient solvents and, in some instances, anti-inflammatory agents.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method of producing an antimicrobial effect on the skin of a subject, comprising applying, to the skin, an effective amount of a topical composition comprising an antimicrobial composition consisting essentially of an emollient solvent and an essential oil. 
     
     
         24 . A method of producing an antimicrobial effect on the mucous membrane of a subject comprising applying, to the mucous membrane, an effective amount of a topical composition comprising an antimicrobial composition consisting essentially of an emollient solvent and an essential oil. 
     
     
         25 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A method of producing an antimicrobial effect on the skin of a subject, comprising applying, to the skin, an effective amount of a topical composition comprising an antimicrobial composition consisting essentially of an emollient solvent, an essential oil or active component thereof, and an anti-inflammatory agent. 
     
     
         38 . A method of producing an antimicrobial effect on the mucous membrane of a subject comprising applying, to the mucous membrane, an effective amount of a topical composition comprising an antimicrobial composition consisting essentially of an emollient solvent, an essential oil or active component thereof, and an anti-inflammatory agent. 
     
     
         39 . An anti-irritant composition comprising two or more zinc salts at concentrations between 0.1% and 2% (weight/weight), and further comprising alcohol and panthenol at a concentration of between about 0.2-5%. 
     
     
         40 . The anti-irritant composition of  claim 39 , wherein at least one zinc salt is a water-soluble zinc salt. 
     
     
         41 . The anti-irritant composition of  claim 40 , wherein the water-soluble zinc salt is selected from the group consisting of zinc acetate, zinc butyrate, zinc citrate, zinc gluconate, zinc glycerate, zinc glycolate, zinc formate, zinc lactate, zinc picolinate, zinc propionate, zinc salicylate, zinc tartrate and zinc undecylenate. 
     
     
         42 . The anti-irritant composition of  claim 39 , wherein at least one zinc slt is a water-insoluble zinc salt. 
     
     
         43 . The anti-irritant composition of  claim 42 , wherein the zinc salt is zinc stearate. 
     
     
         44 . A zinc slurry that may be applied to the surface of a latex article comprising two water-soluble zinc salts at a concentration of between 1-5%, two water-insoluble zinc salts at a concentration of 2-10%, panthenol at a concentration of 5-40%:
 and glycerine at a concentration of 20-50%.   
     
     
         45 . A latex article prepared by applying a liquid containing 10-20% of the zinc slurry of  claim 44 . 
     
     
         46 . The latex article of  claim 45 , wherein the fluid is silicone fluid. 
     
     
         47 . The latex article of  claim 45 , wherein the fluid is polyurethane fluid. 
     
     
         48 . The latex article of  claim 45 , which is a condom. 
     
     
         49 . The latex article of  claim 45 , which is a glove.