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&#39;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.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a method and therapeutic adhesive patch product for treating trauma blisters, burns or exposure to chemicals. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Blisters of the skin can be caused by repeated trauma due to chafing against the skin, most commonly experienced on the hands and feet or from other causes. Further, some first and second degree burns of the skin or exposure to chemicals can also cause blisters. These blisters all have a common pathology regardless of the traumatic causation. 
     When the epidermal layer of the skin is traumatized, an acute accumulation of clear extracellular fluid develops very rapidly between the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin. Secondary inflammation then occurs as part of the healing process. If the epidermal layer opens, the secondary inflammation also may be associated with infection and, as a result, may develop purulent fluid with an infiltration of white blood cells. Moreover, the actual exposure of the dermal layer of skin often results in pain. The present invention takes advantage of the finding that all of these symptoms can be alleviated in whole or in part by significantly reducing the fluid in the acute stage of the blister while maintaining the integrity of the epidermis. 
     Immediately following a burn to the skin which results in a first or second degree burn, there is an acute inflammatory reaction in the burned skin consisting of acute dilation of blood vessels with leakage of fluid into the extravascular and extracellular space in the burned skin. In addition, in second degree burns there is characteristically a blister filled with clear fluid on the skin surface. Further, there is a great deal of pain in the injured area which may last up to seven days or more. 
     In view of the deficiencies in prior treatment, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a treatment for blisters that is safe and can be used by the patient for effectively relieving adverse symptoms or improving the blistered skin and in reducing or eliminating the associated pain. 
     Another object is to provide an adhesive patch for treating blisters. 
     These and other more detailed and specific objects of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following figures and detailed description which illustrate by way of example of but a few of the various forms of the invention within the scope of the appended claims. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention provides a moist and flexible hydrogel, most preferably in the form of a flexible but dimensionably stable patch for covering the blister by which the fluid volume within the skin blister is significantly reduced. This reduction results from placing a hypertonic hydrogel layer in direct contact with the blister so as to produce an osmotic imbalance between the liquid within the blister and the hydrogel. After the patch has been applied, the fluid is drawn out of the blister by osmotic force through the raised epidermis which, upon being hydrated externally by the gel, can then act as a semi-permeable membrane. The structural integrity of the epidermis remains intact due to the protection provided by the patch. Following this, the epidermis will lay down on the dermis. It was found that the epidermis will then heal to the dermis without pain like a split thickness skin graft. Thus, the present invention provides a means of reducing accumulated extracellular fluid contained in the blister. The osmotic imbalance persists while the patch is in place and continues to draw fluid from the low concentration in the blistered skin to the high concentration in the hypertonic hydrogel. This invention therefore concerns a method for treating blistered skin by applying directly to the blistered area a moist, flexible, hypertonic hydrophilic gel patch. While not essential, the gel preferably has a tacky, i.e., pressure-sensitive adhesive, surface enabling the patch to be self-bonding to the skin. This bond enhances hydration of the skin and the transfer of fluids. The patch also includes a backing such as paper, cloth or plastic that acts as a support for the patch and a water-based hypertonic hydrogel layer applied to the backing. The tacky pressure-sensitive adhesive surface of the gel layer, when present, bonds the hydrogel and the patch itself to the skin. The hydrogel layer forms a water bridge between itself and the outer surface of the skin that makes up the top of the blister. This hydro bridge allows the flow of fluid from within the blister, which has a lower osmotic pressure than the osmotic pressure in the hydrogel layer. 
     The hydrogel layer comprises water and, as a thickening or gel forming agent, a hydrophilic natural or synthetic polymer dispersed in the water. The polymer can comprise a high molecular weight hydrophilic carbohydrate such as karaya, cornstarch, or kelp gel and/or a synthetic hydrophilic polymer such as polyacrylamide, a polyionic gel, or polyacrylic acid. A humectant such as an alcohol containing two or more hydroxyl groups, i.e., a polyhydric alcohol, is preferably employed to keep the adhesive layer moist. Any water soluble solute such as salt or an alcohol is dissolved in the water in a quantity sufficient to raise the osmotic pressure above that within the blister; namely, to a value over about 308 mOsmol/L so as to maintain the adhesive hydrogel layer in a hypertonic state with respect to the interior of the blister. As already noted, the adhesive hydrates the outermost layer of skin above the blister. Consequently, the hydrogel adhesive, when applied to a patient, forms a hydrophilic bridge with the patient&#39;s normally dry outer skin layer, the stratum corneum, which allows fluid transport between the skin and the patch across the hydrophilic bridge. With the patch in place on the skin, the fluid in the blister is then transported to the hydrogel layer by osmotic pressure to thereby improve or entirely relieve the blistered condition. After the fluid is gone, the epidermis will then heal to the dermis, much like a split thickness skin graft and without pain. It was also found that the invention provides substantial and sometimes complete removal of pain as soon as it is applied, probably because of its cooling effect since the patch acts somewhat like a heat sink in very good thermal contact with the skin with moisture evaporating from its upper surface. 
     Another aspect of the invention is the hypertonic moisture-containing adhesive patch itself. The patch as noted above contains a flexible backing and a lower hydrophilic, pressure-sensitive adhesive layer containing water, a hydrophilic polymer dispersed in the water, and a dissolved substance. The relative amounts of the solute and solvent are adjusted such that the osmotic pressure of the patch is above that of the underlying tissue of the patient so as to maintain the adhesive hydrogel layer in a hypertonic state with respect to the fluid in the blister. The tacky surface of the adhesive layer wets the normally dry skin surface and creates the hydrophilic bridge with the patient&#39;s elevated skin layer. This allows the free transport of fluid from the blister. 
    
    
     THE FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the back of the hand showing a patch according to the present invention that has been applied to cover a blister and the surrounding skin. 
     FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the foot of a patient that has four blisters which are covered by rectangular hypertonic adhesive patches in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a top perspective top view of the patch of FIG. 2 showing a portion of the removable liner that covers the adhesive before the patch is used. 
     FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the patch taken on line  4 — 4  of FIG. 3 showing the patch as it appears when applied to the patient&#39;s skin over a blister. 
     FIG. 4A is a still further enlarged microscopic view showing the lower portion of the patch in contact with the skin over a blister. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective bottom view of the patch of FIG. 3 showing the exposed pressure-sensitive surface after the liner sheet has been removed and before the patch has been applied to the skin. 
     FIGS. 6A,  6 B and  6 C show sequential microscopic vertical cross-sectional views of the patch and underlying skin to illustrate the progressive improvement of a blister as an increasing amount of fluid diffuses from the blister and surrounding tissue into the hydrogel matrix of the patch. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In FIG. 1 is shown a patient&#39;s hand having a blister  8  to which a patch  10  in accordance with the invention has been applied. The patch  10 , which in this case is rectangular, has a water-based hydrogel adhesive layer  14  with a pressure-sensitive surface  14   a  and a backing layer  16  that provides structural support for the patch and is composed, for example, of cloth, nonwoven fabric, or plastic film. The adhesive layer  14  contains moisture and a dissolved material in sufficient quantity to maintain the osmotic pressure within the patch  10  above that of blister beneath the upper layer of skin (the stratum corneum). During use, the patch  10  is bonded to the skin of the patient by the hydrogel adhesive layer  14  directly over the blister  8  being treated. The hydrogel layer  14  contains enough moisture to hydrate the skin, and the tacky surface  14   a  of the patch  10  forms hydrophilic bridge with the patient&#39;s skin by wetting the normally dry stratum corneum  24  (FIG. 4A) enough to allow the progressive transfer of fluid into the adhesive layer  14  through the stratum corneum which acts as a semi-permeable membrane when hydrated. The patch  10  is left in place for as long as needed, e.g., a day or more, and is replaced whenever necessary. One preferred protocol is to replace the patch  10  twice a day. 
     FIG. 2 shows four more patches  10  which are similar to the patch of FIG.  1 . The patches  10  of FIG. 2 are applied to the patient&#39;s foot over blisters (not shown) above the heel and on the tops of the toes. 
     Refer now to FIGS. 3-4A which illustrate the structural features of the patch in more detail. The patch  10  in this case is provided with an underlying layer of medical grade, non-irritating, hydrated pressure-sensitive adhesive  14  of any suitable type known to those skilled in the art, for example as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,536,263; 4,675,009; 2,498,338; 3,645,835; 4,427,737 and 4,867,150 (which are incorporated herein by reference) except that the osmotic pressure of the adhesive gel is controlled as already described by regulating the ratio of solvent (water) to dissolved solutes. The lower surface  14   a  of adhesive  14  is protected during shipment and storage by a removable liner sheet  18  (FIG. 3) that can comprise any suitable commercially available release paper or plastic film. The liner sheet  18  can be a 2 mil. sheet of polyester film. Before use, the liner sheet  18  is removed to expose the lower surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive  14 . The patch  10  is then applied to the skin  15  and is held in place by the pressure-sensitive adhesive surface  14   a,  for example, on the hand or foot of the patient as shown in FIGS. 1,  2 ,  4  and  4 A. While it is preferred that the hydrogel layer have a pressure-sensitive adhesive surface  14   a  that will hold the patch in contact with the skin  15 , the patch  10  can also be held in place if desired by wrapping it with a cloth bandage or by taping down the edges with any suitable commercially available medical adhesive tape (not shown). 
     The patch  10  is typically about one inch long by one or two inches wide and has rounded corners. It can also be circular with a diameter of from about ½ inch to 1½ inches. The backing sheet  16  typically has a thickness of about 3-8 mils and has applied to it about 0.012 ounces per square inch of the adhesive. The backing sheet  16  is typically a flexible sheet of open-cell polyurethane foam, open-cell polyethylene foam, nonwoven fabric or cloth. 
     The composition of a preferred hydrogel adhesive  14  will now be described in more detail. The hydrogel layer  14  comprises a base or matrix composed of water and a water-dispersible hydrophilic polymer. The liquid phase of the matrix preferably consists of hydric alcohols such as glycerol and/or propylene glycol, and/or water. The hydrophilic polymer contained in the adhesive layer  14  acts as a thickening or gel forming agent that helps the adhesive layer set up once applied to the backing  16 . For this purpose, a high molecular weight natural or synthetic polymer and optionally a polymeric tackifier is included as a part of the hydrophilic hydrogel adhesive layer. The hydrophilic polymer can be any natural or synthetic polymer, for example a gum, i.e., a natural plant exudate such as karaya as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,263 which is incorporated herein by reference, starch, kelp, gum or a synthetic hydrophilic polymer such as polyacrylamide, polyacrylic acid or a polyionic gel, e.g., polysodium acrylate, a polyquaternary amine, a polysulfonate, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), carboxypropyl cellulose (CPC), and the like as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,681 which is also incorporated herein by reference. When karaya is used as a thickening or gel forming agent for the hydrogel adhesive layer  14 , it has the advantage of providing a bacteriostatic action and thereby reduces bacterial counts. Another advantage of the invention is its ability to prevent infections. 
     In order to create the desired osmotic pressure within the patch  10 , at least one substance is dissolved in the adhesive hydrogel layer  14 . Increasing amounts of this solute will create higher osmotic pressures, since the osmotic pressure of a solution is proportional to the fraction of solute molecules in the solution. Enough solute is used to produce an osmotic pressure greater than that of human tissue, namely over about 308 mOsmol/L. Various solutes can be employed. The most suitable for the present invention comprise soluble carbohydrates including sugar, soluble salts, weak acids and bases, mono- and polyhydric alcohols, soluble amino acids or proteins, and other water soluble molecules. Those proteins that are soluble in water form colloidal solutions. On a weight basis, salts are generally the most effective osmotic enhancers since, at the same temperature, equal volumes of solutions showing the same osmotic pressure contain equal numbers of molecules of the solute. If sucrose which has a molecular weight of 342.3 is used, for example, the osmotic pressure of a molal solution is 24.8 atmospheres at 0° C. Sodium chloride, however, with a molecular weight of 58 is almost six times as effective in increasing the osmotic pressure as the same quantity of sucrose by weight. A few examples of the salts that can be employed are sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, and calcium carbonate. Among the sugars that can be used are sucrose, glucose, levulose, and lactose. Among the weak acids that can be employed are acetic acid, adipic acid, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and malic acid. Among the weak bases are potassium bicarbonate and sodium bicarbonate. Among the proteins are albumin and casein. Among the amino acids are glycine, alanine, cysteine and leucine. Among the alcohols are ethanol, methanol, glycerin, ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol. Other solutes that can be used will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Naturally, the solute should be non-irritating and unlikely to produce toxic reactions or skin irritation at the concentration used. While amounts will vary depending upon the desired osmotic pressure, salts, if used, are typically present for example at concentrations of about 0.1% to 15% by weight or more, and preferably from about 0.5% to about 7% by weight, to produce an osmotic pressure greater than the fluid within the infected skin. Sugars and proteins are typically used in an amount, for example, from about 1% to 25% by weight. 
     Solutes can be used in combination. For example, the osmotic pressure increase produced by glycerin can be further increased by the addition of any nontoxic electrolyte, e.g., the addition of 1% sodium chloride. A solution of about 0.9% sodium chloride is isotonic with serum or blood. Accordingly, anything with a higher osmotic pressure than the equivalent of 0.9% sodium chloride is sufficient to be at a greater osmotic pressure than blood or serum. However, in practice it is desirable to have a much higher osmotic pressure in the hydrophilic layer than in the blister, since the higher the osmotic pressure of the hydrophilic layer, the greater will be the absorption of moisture from the blister. Moreover, since the permeability of any particular skin area cannot be precisely predicted, it is desirable to keep the osmotic pressure in the adhesive substantially higher than that of the blister to maintain a high osmotic differential and to provide a margin of error. During use, as water is transported from the blister into the hydrophilic adhesive layer of the patch, some electrolytes are carried with it, as well as other substances such as small amounts of simple proteins. The water that thus passes through the stratum corneum, which has been hydrated by the patch, dilutes the salt present in the overlying adhesive layer. As the patch  10  is used, dilution of the solute causes the patch to lose effectiveness over time. Consequently, the patch  10  should be removed periodically and replaced with a fresh patch. 
     The pressure-sensitive hydrocolloidal adhesive layer  14  can be prepared by admixing the constituents just prior to applying the adhesive to the backing  16 . Mixing can be accomplished by providing a processing mixer with a cooling jacket through which a coolant such as a chilled mixture of water and ethylene glycol is passed during operation. The components of the hydrogel are continuously added to the mixer during operation. While any suitable mixer can be used, one suitable mixer is a five-inch continuous processing mixer manufactured by Teledyne Readco Company of York, Pa. The coolant passed through the processing mixer can be maintained at about 0° C. The temperature of the moisture-containing hydrogel  14  as it flows onto the exposed surface of the backing sheet  16  is important for controlling the infiltration of the coating into the backing sheet  16 . The coolant will, under typical operating conditions, keep the extruded hydrogel  14  at a temperature of about 9° C. to 14° C. as it comes into contact with the backing  16 . If deeper penetration is desired, the temperature of the hydrogel is lowered to about 9° C. for a typical hydrogel formulation. If less penetration is wanted, the temperature is raised closer to 15° C. 
     The hydrogel adhesive produced by the processing mixer, which is in a chilled fluid condition, is expelled onto backing sheet  16  and is spread out, e.g., by means of a knife coater of suitable known construction. 
     The backing  16  can be a porous or non-porous self-supporting sheet of water insoluble polymeric material that provides strength and integrity for the adhesive patch  10 , and when porous can act as a substrate for receiving and retaining a portion of the adhesive hydrogel  14 . 
     One preferred backing sheet  16  is a lightweight, pliable strip composed, for example, from a nonwoven fabric which consists of polymeric fibers such as polyester, cotton or cellulose fibers bonded together with a sizing resin. The backing sheet  16  should be nonirritating to human skin. If desired, the backing sheet  16  can be coated on its back surface with a release coating such as a silicone release coating as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,854 which is incorporated herein by reference. One suitable release coating is a 100% solids electron beam curable silicone such as TEGO® Resin Acrylates/RC-Series RC 705 and RC 726 by Goldschmidt Chemical Corporation of Hopewell, Va. The preferred backing sheet  16  is a porous polymeric water insoluble nonwoven fibrous fabric. A suitable sizing material for bonding the fibers together is a latex resin. 
     The backing sheet  16  can comprise other stable, water insoluble flexible sheet materials. Another preferred backing comprises a 5.5 mil. strip of nonwoven fabric formed from a mixture of cellulose fibers derived from wood pulp and polyester fibers. The fibers are assembled loosely into the backing to maintain porosity. A sizing resin is applied to hold the fibers together. The sizing resin can comprise a nonirritating resin applied as a latex emulsion. One example is HYCAR® 26477, a resin produced by B.F. Goodrich Co. of Brecksville, Ohio. Another suitable backing sheet is a nonwoven fabric comprising a wetlay cellulose and polyester nonwoven fabric containing as a sizing an acrylic latex emulsion resin, e.g., product number N7601 by Dexter Corporation of Windsor Locks, Conn. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the backing sheet  16  comprises a porous woven 5 mil. acetate polymer cloth sometimes known as “silk cloth.” Another form of backing sheet  16  is an open-cell plastic foam strip of low density polyethylene or poly-vinyl acetate resin. Other backing sheets that can be used include woven cotton cloth or other cloth formed from a synthetic polymer. Suitable synthetic cloths include nylon, polyester, polyacetate. When the backing sheet  16  is a woven cloth, no sizing resin is needed. When the backing sheet  16  is pervious to air, the patch is non-occlusive to the skin. However, an occlusive backing can be used if desired. 
     In accordance with another optional form of the invention, the backing  16  is covered by a slippery friction-reducing layer  17  which has been broken away for clarity of illustration (FIG.  3 ), such as a sheet of slippery polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon®), polypropylene, waxed parchment or any other slippery sheet material known to the art to reduce surface friction above the blister  8 . Another alternative is to product the layer  17  by applying a slippery coating such as a silicone or wax-containing coating well known to those skilled in the adhesive tape art, which in ordinary adhesive tape serves as a release coating. If, for example, the slippery layer  17  is applied on the outer surface of the patches  10  shown in FIG. 2, the slippery surface characteristic will help reduce friction between the patch  10  and the stocking and shoe that are placed on the foot over the patch. In this way the low friction outer surface layer  17  of the patch  10  helps promote sliding contact and eliminate chafing between the patch  10  and a material such as an article of clothing that is placed over the patch  10 . 
     After the hydrogel adhesive layer  14  has been applied to the backing  16 , the patches can be formed by die-cutting, for example as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,263. 
     Refer now to FIGS. 4 and 4A which illustrate a cross-sectional view of the patch after application to the skin  15  following removal of the liner sheet  18 . As shown in the figures, the patch  10  has been applied over a blister  8 . The blister  8  is covered by the stratum corneum  24  which may have, or may eventually develop, an opening  26  just above the center of the blister  8 . When the opening  26  appears, fluid and necrotic tissue debris will flow out at an increasing rate to be absorbed into the hydrophilic adhesive layer  14  of the patch  10 . If should also be noted that the moisture within the adhesive layer  14  soon hydrates the normally dry stratum corneum  24  (FIG.  4 A), causing it to swell and to become more flexible. In addition, because of the added moisture, the free transport of fluids from the blister  8  upwardly into the hydrophilic adhesive gel  14  will be possible over an extended period of time as indicated by the vertical arrows in FIG.  4 A. This osmotic effect is beneficial since it enhances drainage of the inflamed nodules. The evaporation of moisture through the porous backing  16  helps to maintain the osmotic differential and thus facilitates continued fluid transport out of the skin. 
     FIGS. 6A-6C show in timed sequence three microscopic vertical cross-sectional views of the same patch  10  and the underlying skin  15  to illustrate how an increasing amount of interstitial fluid from the blister  8  is progressively carried by osmotic pressure upwardly into the adhesive layer  14  of the patch  10 , causing it to swell. These figures show the progressive improvement of the blister  8  over time proceeding from FIG. 6A to  6 C as fluid is removed from the blister  8 . The upward flow of fluid from the blister  8  into the adhesive layer  14  is indicated by vertical arrows in the figures. Finally, as shown in FIG. 6C, the blister  8  is much reduced as even more fluid is carried by osmotic pressure from the blister into the hydrophilic gel layer  14 , thereby expanding the hydrophilic gel layer. When salt is used to create the hypertonic pressure within the adhesive  14 , it provides an additional benefit in helping to keep the patch  10  sterile or at least helps to reduce the bacterial count to a safe level. 
     The invention will be better understood by reference to the examples. The patches are prepared by providing a porous nonwoven flexible fabric backing, e.g., nonwoven fabric having a thickness of 5 mils. To the flexible backing is applied a hydrophilic adhesive composition shown in each example to a thickness of about 3 mils. The hydrophilic adhesive compositions are given in the following examples: 
     EXAMPLES 
     Example 1 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Ingredient 
                 % by Weight 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Glycerin 
                 32.0 
               
               
                   
                 Water 
                 10.0 
               
               
                   
                 Propylene Glycol 
                 20.0 
               
               
                   
                 Sodium Chloride 
                 1.0 
               
               
                   
                 Polyquaternary amine 
                 37.0 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 2 
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Ingredient 
                 % by Weight 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Propylene Glycol 
                 33.0 
               
               
                 Water 
                 20.0 
               
               
                 Polyacrylamide 
                 15.0 
               
               
                 Sucrose 
                 11.0 
               
               
                 Maltodextrin 
                 12.0 
               
               
                 Tackifier comprising a vinyl acetate resin emulsion 
                 9.0 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 3 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Ingredient 
                 % by Weight 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Water 
                 14.0 
               
               
                   
                 Karaya 
                 10.0 
               
               
                   
                 Albumin solids 
                 45.0 
               
               
                   
                 Tackifier comprising an acrylic ester copolymer 
                 31.0 
               
               
                   
                 emulsion adhesive (B.F. Goodrich 26415) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 4 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Ingredient 
                 % by Weight 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Water 
                 16.0 
               
               
                   
                 Ethylene Glycol 
                 12.0 
               
               
                   
                 Acrylic ester copolymer emulsion tackifier 
                 25.0 
               
               
                   
                 Tackifier comprising vinyl acetate/dioctyl maleate 
                 38.0 
               
               
                   
                 copolymer emulsion 
               
               
                   
                 Polysodium acrylate 
                 9.0 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 5 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Ingredient 
                 % by Weight 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Glycerol 
                 58.0 
               
               
                   
                 Water 
                 10.0 
               
               
                   
                 Polyacrylamide 
                 15.0 
               
               
                   
                 Polyacrylic acid 
                 15.0 
               
               
                   
                 Calcium chloride 
                 2.0 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 6 
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Ingredient 
                 % by Weight 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Propylene Glycol 
                 33.0 
               
               
                 Water 
                 20.0 
               
               
                 Polysulfonate 
                 15.0 
               
               
                 Sucrose 
                 11.0 
               
               
                 Maltodextrin 
                 12.0 
               
               
                 Tackifier comprising a vinyl acetate resin emulsion 
                 9.0 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 7 
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Ingredient 
                 % by Weight 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Propylene Glycol 
                 33.0 
               
               
                 Water 
                 20.0 
               
               
                 Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) 
                 15.0 
               
               
                 Sucrose 
                 11.0 
               
               
                 Maltodextrin 
                 12.0 
               
               
                 Tackifier comprising a vinyl acetate resin emulsion 
                 9.0 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 8 
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Ingredient 
                 % by Weight 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Propylene Glycol 
                 33.0 
               
               
                 Water 
                 20.0 
               
               
                 Carboxypropyl cellulose (CPC) 
                 15.0 
               
               
                 Sucrose 
                 11.0 
               
               
                 Maltodextrin 
                 12.0 
               
               
                 Tackifier comprising a vinyl acetate resin emulsion 
                 9.0 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 9 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Ingredient 
                 % by Weight 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Glycerin 
                 49 
               
               
                   
                 Nonionic and/or ionic polyacrylamide 
                 16 
               
               
                   
                 Acrylic ester copolymer adhesive 
                 8 
               
               
                   
                 Malto dextrin 
                 6 
               
               
                   
                 Pectin 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                 Deionized water 
                 6.6 
               
               
                   
                 Proplylene glycol 
                 6.45 
               
               
                   
                 Salicyclic acid 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 Sodium chloride 
                 1.95 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 10 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Ingredient 
                 % by Weight 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Glycerin 
                 49 
               
               
                   
                 Nonionic and/or ionic polyacrylamide 
                 16 
               
               
                   
                 Acrylic ester copolymer adhesive 
                 8 
               
               
                   
                 Malto dextrin 
                 6.25 
               
               
                   
                 Pectin 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                 Deionized water 
                 7 
               
               
                   
                 Proplylene glycol 
                 7 
               
               
                   
                 Salicyclic acid 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 Sodium chloride 
                 0.75 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 11 
     A 48-year-old woman burned the distal palmer surface of the distal first four digits of the right hand by trying to move the metal grate on a gas stove which had unknowingly just been turned off. She suffered second degree burns on all of the four digits which all measured one centimeter across and one-half centimeter wide. All burned digits had fluid-filled blisters and the largest blister was on the index finger. All fingers were extremely painful. About one hour after the injury, one patch of Example 1 above was placed on each finger. Within five minutes the patient reported that the pain was completely gone. The patches were replaced about three hours after they were first placed. Examination of the fingers revealed there was no clinical fluid within the blisters, including the first digit. Further, with the blistered areas exposed, there was no recurrent pain to the air or gentle palpation. The examination of the patches revealed that all of the hydrophilic layers contained fluid and the layer on the index finger contained the most fluid. New patches were applied. The next day the patches were removed. There was minimal added fluid in the patches and no clinical blisters. The skin on the surface of the blistered areas was somewhat thickened but not painful to air or touch. The patches were not reapplied. When the burned areas were examined four days later, there were only minimal findings in the wounded areas. Further, the patient had never had any recurrence of pain or limitations of motion and use of the fingers. The probable action of the hypertonic hydrophilic gel layer of the patch on first and second degree burns is two-fold. First, the hypertonic gel layer removed the fluid within the blisters and some of the increased extracellular fluid in the surrounding areas as a result of the burn. The result of this action reduced the inflammation which apparently never returned, either by clinical action or by the subjective observation of the absence of pain. Second, the immediate effect of the hydrophilic gel almost immediately removed the pain by covering the burned surface with a moist layer of hydrogel, thereby reducing or eliminating the irritation to the pain sensors in the burned skin. As the fluid was removed and the acute inflammation subsided, the pain also clinically abated without the presence of the hydrogel patch. 
     The adhesive gels described above are applied to the backing  16  to provide a thin adhesive layer which is covered by a removable slip sheet or liner sheet  18  of any suitable commercially available composition. The patches  10  are then packaged in protective paper or plastic wrappers, pouches or envelopes for distribution. Also contained in the package, e.g., by being printed on the pouch or envelope, are directions for treating blisters by removing the liner sheet  18  and applying the patch to the skin directly over the blister. The user or health care worker can easily remove the patches from the envelope, remove the protective liner sheet, and apply the patch directly to the blister. The contact between the gel and the blistered skin consequently results in an osmotic gradient, pulling the fluid from the blister through the hydrated stratum corneum into the patch, thereby reducing fluid within the blister. 
     The patch  10  in accordance with the invention can be either non-sterile or, if desired, sterilized as described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,307,717 which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     If desired, any of the hydrophilic hydrogel adhesive compositions in accordance with the present invention can have dispersed therein one or more antimicrobial agents including but not limited to any of the following: isopropyl alcohol, povidone iodine, mercurochrome, hydrogen peroxide, benzoyl peroxide, retinoic acid, tetracycline, chlorohexidine gluconate, erythromycin, miconazole, acyclovir, isotretinoin, hexachlorophene, silver nitrate, acetic acid, salicylic acid and the like. 
     Many variations of the present invention within the scope of the appended claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art once the principles described herein are understood.