GB2233227A

GB2233227A - Zinc compositions for treatment of foot odour

Info

Publication number: GB2233227A
Application number: GB8913363A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Eldred Buckenham; Raymond Jacques Ransley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-06-09
Filing date: 1989-06-09
Publication date: 1991-01-09
Also published as: GB8913363D0

Abstract

Foot odour is treated by applying to the feet a dermatologically acceptable antiseptic zinc compound in an aqueous dermatologically acceptable vehicle. Preferably, the zinc compound is zinc oxide and the vehicle is an aqueous emulsion containing a mixture of fatty acid glycerides and a mineral hydrocarbon.

Description

TREATMENT OF FOOT ODOUR The present invention relates to the treatment of foot odour.

Many people suffer the embarrassment of foot odour, which is a foul smell emanating from their feet. The smell pervades footwear and is often strong enough to be smelt in the immediate vicinity of the sufferer following removal of outer footwear such as boots or shoes.

The use of deodorants is generally ineffective in the treatment of foot odour. Most commonly, sufferers seek to control the odour by using boot or shoe insoles of foamed material impregnated with activated charcoal and/or a deodorant such as bis-(tributylstannyl)oxide.

However, to the best of the Applicants knowledge, no wholly effective treatment for foot odour has been devised.

Certain zinc compounds, such as zinc oxide and zinc carbonate, are known to be dermatologically acceptable and to have topical antiseptic, astringent and protective properties. In particular, zinc oxide is used in such formulations as Zinc and Castor Oil Ointment and Zinc Cream for the treatment of nappy and urinary rash and eczematous conditions. Zinc and Castor Oil Ointment BP has the following formulation: Zinc oxide 7.5 g Castor oil 50 g Cetostearylalcohol 2 g White beeswax 10 g Arachis oil 30.5 g.

Zinc Cream BP has the following formulation: Zinc oxide 32 g Oleic acid 0.5 ml Arachis oil 32 ml Wool fat 8 g Calcium hydroxide 45 mg Water to 100 g.

The Applicants understand that it was common practice many years ago for seamen in the British Navy to apply Zinc and Castor Oil Ointment to their feet when on sea-going duty. It is believed that this practice was to protect the feet against the ingress of sea water into their boots and also to reduce the discomfort of wearing their boots for prolonged periods of time. It may well have been noted by the seamen that use of the Zinc and Castor Oil Ointment reduced foot odour.

However, to the best of the Applicants knowledge, such observation did not lead to the development of any other zinc-containing compositions for the treatment of foot odour. Zinc and Castor Oil Ointment is generally unsatisfactory for use in the treatment of foot odour because of its greasy nature.

It has now been found that foot odour can successfully be treated by zinc oxide and other dermatologically acceptable antiseptic zinc compounds in the form of a topical aqueous composition.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided the use of a dermatologically acceptable antiseptic zinc compound for the manufacture of a topical aqueous composition for the treatment of foot odour.

In a second aspect the invention provides a method of treatment of foot odour which comprises applying to the feet of a person having foot odour an effective amount of a topical aqueous composition comprising a dermatologically acceptable antiseptic zinc compound in an aqueous dermatologically acceptable vehicle.

A further aspect of the invention provides a topical aqueous composition for use in the treatment of foot odour comprising a dermatologically acceptable antiseptic zinc compound in an aqueous dermatologically acceptable vehicle The preferred zinc compound for use in the present invention is zinc oxide but it is expected that other dermatologically acceptable antiseptic zinc compounds, such as zinc carbonate, can be used.

It is preferred that the vehicle is an aqueous emulsion containing one or more fatty acid esters, especially mixtures of fatty acid glycerides such as fixed oils (ie. non-volatile natural animal or vegetable oils). Suitable fixed oils include arachis oil (ie.

peanut oil), castor oil and mixtures thereof. It is believed that the antisept c nature of zinc oxide plus autoxidation of glycerides provided by the fixed oil reduce odour-producing compounds resulting from decomposition of sebum sweat and dead skin.

When the vehicle is an aqueous emulsion containing one or more fatty acid esters, the vehicle preferably also comprises a mineral hydrocarbon, especially soft and/or liquid paraffins.

The composition of the invention may also comprise other components enhancing the appearance, smell, stability and/or texture as is well known in the art of the manufacture of topical creams. Such additives may include emulsifying agents and/or stabilisers, bacteriostats and/or bacteriocides; emollients, and perfumes and/or colouring agents.

In a presently preferred embodiment, compositions of the invention are formed by mixing together Zinc Cream BP and Aqueous Cream BP, preferably in a proportion of two parts by weight Zinc Cream BP to one part by weight Aqueous Cream BP. The composition of Zinc Cream BP has been specified in the introduction to this specification. Aqueous Cream BP has the composition: Emulsifying ointment 30 percent by weight Phenoxyethanol 1 percent by weight Water 69 percent by weight.

The emulsifying ointment component has the following composition: Emulsifying wax 30 percent by weight White soft paraffin 50 percent by weight Liquid paraffin 20 percent by weight.

The invention is illustrated in the following nonlimiting Example.

Example 1 part Aqueous Cream BP was mixed with 2 parts by weight Zinc Cream BP to obtain a homogeneous composition. The composition was sparingly (1 to 10 g per foot) applied to the feet of persons having a history of foot odour. In particular, the cream was rubbed onto the feet each morning. A significant reduction in foot odour was noted after seven days of regular application.

Claims

1. The use of a dermatologically acceptable antiseptic zinc compound for the manufacture of a topical aqueous composition for the treatment of foot odour.

2. A method of treatment of foot odour which comprises applying to the feet of a person having foot odour a deodorant-effective amount of a topical aqueous composition comprising a dermatologically acceptable antiseptic zinc compound in an aqueous dermatologically acceptable vehicle.

3. A topical aqueous composition for use in the treatment of foot odour comprising a dermatologically acceptable antiseptic zinc compound in an aqueous dermatologically acceptable vehicle.

4. A composition as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the zinc compound is zinc oxide.

5. A composition as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the vehicle is an aqueous emulsion containing one or more fatty acid esters.

6. A composition as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the vehicle is an aqueous emulsion containing a mixture of fatty acid glycerides.

7. A composition as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the said mixture of fatty acid glycerides includes a nonvolatile natural animal or vegetable oil.

8. A composition as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said oil is selected from arachis oil, castor oil and mixtures thereof.

9. A composition as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 8, wherein the vehicle also comprises a mineral hydrocarbon.

10. A composition as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 9 formed by mixing together Zinc Cream BP and Aqueous Cream BP.

11. A composition as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the Zinc Cream BP and Aqueous Cream BP are mixed in the proportions, by weight, of 2 parts Zinc Cream BP to 1 part Aqueous Cream BP.

12. A use as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the topical aqueous composition is as defined in any one of Claims 4 to 11.

13. A method as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the topical aqueous composition is as defined in any one of Claims 4 to 11.

14. A composition comprising an admixture of Zinc Cream BP and Aqueous Cream BP.

15. A composition as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the Zinc Cream BP and Aqueous Cream BP are mixed in the proportions, by weight, of 2 part of Zinc Cream BP to 1 part Aqueous Cream BP.