Treating traumatic burns or blisters of the skin

Abstract

Blisters of the skin are treated by applying to the skin over the blister a flexible moisture-containing hydrophilic hydrogel patch that includes a backing support such as paper, cloth or plastic and a water-based hydrogel layer applied to the backing. The hydrogel layer comprises a hydrophilic natural or synthetic polymer to provide body dispersed in water and can be a tacky adhesive. The polymer can comprise any high molecular weight hydrophilic carbohydrate such as karaya, cornstarch, or a kelp gel and/or a synthetic hydrophilic polymer such as polyacrylamide or polyacrylic acid. A humectant such as a polyhydric alcohol, keeps the gel layer moist. A solute such as salt, protein, sugar or an alcohol is dissolved in the water in a quantity sufficient to raise the osmotic pressure enough to maintain the hydrogel layer in a hypertonic state with respect to the blister. The hydrogel which hydrates the normally dry upper layer of skin forms a hydrophilic bridge with the patient's skin that allows fluid to be drawn by osmotic pressure from the blister through the normally dry stratum corneum into the patch. In addition, the hydrogel very quickly significantly dimishes the pain secondary to skin burns and blisters.