Methods and Compositions for Treatment of Dermal Conditions

Abstract

The present invention comprises methods and compositions for the treatment of pathological conditions of the dermis and dermal structures of animals and humans. In particular, the present invention comprises the use of topical delivery vehicles, including hydrogels, which incorporate active agents such as organic acids, for the treatment of dermal conditions.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A composition for treatment of dermal structures, comprising,
 a) a cross-linked polyacrylamide matrix, a non-gellable polysaccharide, citric acid, and water.   
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 18 , wherein the citric acid is in a concentration of 8% to 16% w/w. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 18 , wherein the water content is from 0.1% to 50%. 
     
     
         21 . A method of treating a dermal condition comprising,
 a) applying to a dermal structure a composition comprising a hydrophilic polymer matrix, at least one active agent, and at least one humectant, wherein the composition has a moisture content ranging from about 0.1% to 50% to create a diffusion gradient from the composition to the dermal structure, wherein the hydrophilic polymer matrix directly contacts the dermal structure, wherein moisture and the at least one active agent are transferred by the diffusion gradient from the hydrophilic polymer matrix composition to the dermal structure; and   b) maintaining the composition at the dermal structure site for a sufficient amount of time so that an effective amount of the active agent is delivered.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the dermal condition is an ungual condition and the dermal structure is an ungual structure. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the hydrophilic polymer matrix includes a cross-linked polyacrylamide. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one active agent comprises an organic acid. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the organic acid comprises citric acid. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the citric acid is in a concentration between 0.1% w/w and 16% w/w. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the humectant includes glycerol. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the humectant is present at a concentration of from about 15% w/w to about 25% w/w. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the composition further comprises a moisture management system. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the moisture management system includes a non-gellable polysaccharide. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the non-gellable polysaccharide comprises guar gum, lucerne, fenugreek, honey locust bean gum, white clover bean gum, or carob locust bean gum. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the composition further comprises an attachment element. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the attachment element is an open pattern adhesive. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the open pattern adhesive comprises polysiloxane, a polyisobutylene, a polyacrylate, an acrylic acid-acrylate copolymer, a polyisobutene, a polybutadiene, a polystyrene-isoprene copolymer, a polystyrene-butadiene copolymer, a neoprene, a polyacrylic acid, a polymethacrylic acid, or a blend of a hydrophilic cellulose derivative with a polyethylene glycol.