Method of treating skin and composition

A topical medication for the treatment of skin pathology including acne is comprised of tetracycline, minocycline, clindamycin, erythromycin, or doxicycline and selenium sulfide or sulfur in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The lotion, cream or ointment is applied to the lesions, left in place briefly and washed off. This is repeated twice daily. The lesions generally clear up within a week. Because the treatment is local, the serious side effects of systemic administration of drugs is avoided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to the use of tetracycline in combination with 
sulfur or selenium sulfide in topical preparations for the treatment of 
acne. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The treatment of acne vulgaris has been directed primarily to cleansing the 
skin, avoidance of certain foods and chocolate and the topical application 
of various astringents and ointments. Certain chemicals have been tried 
with variable success including peroxides topically applied. A theory has 
developed that a causative factor may be the formation of free fatty acids 
in the sebaceous glands or ducts. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,005,198 issued Jan. 25, 1977 to Skillern discloses the use 
of the specific duiretic Methyclothiazide orally in conjunction with oral 
tetracycline to control acne with the tetracycline discontinued after some 
reduction in symptoms. The antibiotic is used in this case for its 
purported action in reducing the formation of free fatty acids in the 
sebaceous ducts and not for its antibiotic activity. 
In contrast to topical application, systemic administration to treat 
localized skin lesions subjects the rest of the body to all of the 
dangerous side effects while presenting only low concentrations of drug to 
the areas to be treated. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an effective 
topical composition that will be effective in treating acne vulgaris, 
cystic type lesions, folliculitis and other skin pathology, while having 
negligible effects on the rest of the body. 
Applicant has discovered that a preparation incorporating tetracycline, 
minocycline, clindamycin, erythromycin, or doxicycline in combination with 
either selenium sulfide or elemental sulfur in a pharmaceutically 
acceptable carrier, when applied periodically to the skin lesions for only 
brief contact intervals, is most effective in causing a marked improvement 
in the condition promptly without systemic side effects. 
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
In the practice of the present invention, tetracyline hydrochloride, 
minocycline, clindamycin, erythromycin, or doxicycline is distributed with 
either selenium sulfide or elemental sulfur in various pharmaceutically 
acceptable carriers such as lotions, creams and ointments for topical 
applications to the skin by techniques well known in the art. Some of 
these carriers may contain diluents such as alcohols, glycols and the like 
as well as suspending, wetting, and emulsifying agents, as desired.

The compositions of the instant invention and the methods of their use will 
be more readily comprehended from the following examples and clinical 
tests. 
EXAMPLES 
Example I 
1.8 grams of tetracyline hydrochloride suspended in 60 c.c. of an aqueous 
suspension of 2.5% selenium sulfide containing suitable carrier materials 
including bentonite. 
Example II 
30 grams elemental sulfur powder 
1.5 grams tetracyline hydrochloride suspended in 30 grams 70% isopropyl 
alcohol 
Test A 
26 year old white male with superficial papular and pustular facial acne 
tested positive for Staphylococcus Aureus. 
Oral tetracyline 250 mg BID cleared skin but caused diarrhea required 
cessation of treatment. 
Acne returned. 
Example I rubbed into lesions, twice a day, and washed away 5 minutes 
later. 
Acne resolved within six days. 
Test B 
28 year old white male with papular and cystic lesions on back. 
Applied example I to affected areas, washed off after 5 minutes. 
Treated twice a day. 
Acne resolved in 4 days. 
Test C 
26 year old white male with superficial papular and pustular facial 
lesions. 
Rubbed example II into lesions twice a day, washed off after 5 minutes. 
Lesions cleared in four days. 
Test D 
42 year old white female with mild cystic and pustular facial acne. 
Treated twice a day with example II, washing off after 5 minutes. 
Acne cleared in seven days. 
It is apparent that the preparations of the invention exert a healing 
action on all of the various inflamed and affected parts of the skin in 
various skin pathologies. 
Because of the brief topical mode of application the dose and concentration 
of ingredients are not critical. The antibiotic component of the mixture, 
i.e., the tetracycline, minocycline, clindamycin, erythromycin, or 
doxicycline may be present in a concentration range of from about 1/2 gram 
to about 7 grams per 100 c.c. The selenium sulfide may be present in a 
concentration range of from about 1/2 gram to about 7 grams per 100 c.c. 
The sulfur may be present in a concentration range of from about 1/2 gram 
to about 120 grams per 100 c.c. 
The above disclosed invention has a number of particular features which 
should preferably be employed in combination although each is useful 
separately without departure from the scope of the invention. While I have 
shown and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be 
understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein 
specifically illustrated or described, and that certain changes in the 
form and arrangement of parts and the specific manner of practicing the 
invention may be made within the underlying idea or principles of the 
invention within the scope of the appended claims.