BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic cutaneous inflammatory condition, marked by frequent exacerbations, and affecting areas of skin in which sebaceous glands have a dense distribution and are highly active. Lesions of seborrehic dermatitis are red and scaly and may be marked by intense itching. Facial seborrehic dermatitis is typically associated with greasy scaling of the scalp, with erythema and scaling of the nasolabial folds, ears and other areas of the face including eyebrows, forehead, jaw/cheek area and central chin. Structures associated with the eyes maybe involved (blepharitis and occlusion of the meibomian glands). Facial seborrehic dermatitis involvement may be associated with a burning sensation in the affected areas.

Seborrheic dermatitis is one of the most common and most familiar dermatologic disorders. It affects at least 3% of the general population. A sample of elderly patients (mean age 70) disclosed a high prevalence of inflammatory eczema associated with seborrehic dermatitis, exacerbated by frequent bathing and the use of strong soaps.

Seborrheic dermatitis, once considered to be a condition primarily of the aged ("senile keratosis"), has been found to have a prevalence of 15.7% in teenagers (15 to 19 years) and 32.3% in young adults (25 to 30 years), independent of sex, skin type, hair or eye color. It is commonly seen in infants, adults between the ages of 30 and 60 and immunocompromised patients.

Because sex hormones play an important role in the production of sebum, the onset of seborrehic dermatitis is usually after puberty, and the condition is more prevalent in men than women, because of androgen stimulation of the human sebocyte. Evidence suggests that seborrehic dermatitis is not simply a result of excessive production of sebum, however.

The high prevalence and chronicity of seborrehic dermatitis, along with the still limited understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of the disease and absence of disease- specific rational therapy have made the management of seborrehic dermatitis a source of frustration for physician and patient alike. Patients with the disease often have very sensitive skin. Treatment of seborrehic dermatitis of the face has depended on the use of antifungal shampoos and topical antifungal or anti-inflammatory agents.

Sodium sulfacetamide, sometimes referred to as sulfacetamide sodium, is a treatment that has been used for seborrehic dermatitis in the past. It has, however, been typically used in topicals that also contain free sulfur as a keratolytic agent, see for example Flexion Cleanser which contains sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5%. Products containing sulfur are undesirable because of the risk of an adverse reaction. Although the mechanism of sulfur's keratolytic action has not been determined, this action may depend on formation of hydrogen sulfide when the drug comes in contact with skin, which can cause irritation. Other examples are those compositions like the one sold under the trademark Carmol which is a scalp treatment lotion containing sodium sulfacetamide 10% designed as a stay on product for prolonged skin contact. Products designed for prolonged disease treatment run the risk of patient adverse reaction to sodium sulfacetamide which will prolong disease treatment, i. e. skin contact can risk an irritation or sensitization, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome in hypersensitive individuals, etc.

It can therefore be seen that there is a need for a safe and effective sodium sulfacetamide product designed specifically for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis and designed for skin contact for the requisite time for therapeutic effectiveness but not prolonged skin contact such that risk of adverse skin reaction becomes increased.

Therefore, a delivery system using sodium sulfacetamide, preferably 10% (w/w), as the active which could be effective in a product designed for easy application and easy rinse off would represent a significant advance in the management of this common and troublesome disorder.

It is a primary objective of this invention to provide such a delivery system which can be effectively used for patients diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A topical composition and method for treating seborrehic dermatitis designed specifically to allow for short duration skin contact time. It is a water rinseable sulfacetamide composition free of elemental sulfur preferably dosed in a regimen of at least two daily treatments. The invention surprisingly provides effectiveness with minimal skin contact to reduce irritation risk.

While the preferred delivery system is a wash, since this is the easiest for quick' control and short skin contact time, it may be also formulated into other delivery systems that are water rinseable such as aerosol foams, gels, lotions, soap bars, and creams. The system is designed for skin contact of from ten (10) seconds to two (2) minutes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a delivery system for alkaline earth sulfacetamides in general, and in particular sodium sulfacetamide is designed to provide sulfacetamide therapy, controlled so that it has sufficient contact with skin to provide the needed therapeutic activity but to avoid prolonged skin contact and the risk of adverse skin reaction. Some have termed this type of regime as"short contact therapy". The regime here is specifically designed for a composition that is free of sulfur to further avoid adverse patient skin reaction. It is also designed for ease of water rinse (thereby avoiding prolonged contact period). The typical regime involves two times daily dosing. The typical contact time is from ten (10) seconds to about two (2) minutes, at least once daily, preferably twice daily (morning and evening) or as directed by a treating physician.

Sulfacetamide sodium is C8H9N2Na03S-H20 with a molecular weight of 254.24.

Chemically, it is Acetamide N- [ (4-aminophenyl) sulfonyl]-, monosodium salt, monohydrate, with the following structural formula: Sulfacetamide sodium is an odorless, white, crystalline powder with a bitter taste.

It is freely soluble in water, sparingly soluble in alcohol, while practically insoluble in benzene, in chloroform, and in ether.

Sulfacetamide sodium exerts a bacteriostatic effect against sulfonamide sensitive gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms commonly isolated from secondary

cutaneous phylogenic infections. It acts by restricting the synthesis of folic acid required by bacteria for growth, by its competition with para-aminobenzoic acid.

While the above description has been given with a sodium salt of sulfacetamide, any soluble alkaline earth salt of sulfacetamide may be used. Typically sodium salt is preferred because of ease of availability. The amount employed will vary but generally is within the range of from 2% (w/w) basis to 15% (w/w) of the total composition. The preferred range is from 8% (w/w) basis to 12% (w/w) basis of the composition. The most commonly used dosage, and that known for safety and efficacy, is a 10% (w/w) basis.

It is understood that the above ranges have been given as exemplary only and that the critical factor is use of a"therapeutically effective amount". As used herein, "therapeutically effective amount"means the amount administered to a human patient to effectively treat seborrehic dermatitis avoiding prolonged skin contact to the point that normal patients have risk of sensitive skin reaction. Normally for the preferred wash composition, the administration regime is as follows. Wash affected areas twice daily (morning and evening), or as directed by your physician. Wet the skin and liberally apply to areas to be cleansed, massage gently into skin for ten (10) seconds to two (2) minutes working into a full lather, rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Rinsing with plain water removes any excess medication. Repeat the application as described for eight to ten days. If needed repeat above application for another 8-10 days. If skin dryness occurs it may be controlled by rinsing cleanser off sooner or using less frequently.

The sulfacetamide composition contains the active sulfacetamide compound of the invention in amounts suitable for topical use on humans in therapeutic effective amounts as previously defined. Such compositions may be in the form of washes, aerosol foams, gels, lotions, soap bars, or creams and can include a variety of preservatives, carriers and other inactive or active ingredients, with the entire composition being water rinseable. The preferred delivery form is a wash which also has cleansing properties. For cleansing washes, the wash may contain a primary cleansing surfactant at a level of from 2% (w/w) to 50% (w/w), preferably 5% (w/w) to 20% (w/w) and most preferred at a level of 12%. The preferred cleaning surfactant, although any which may be usable in a water based composition will do as long as it is not skin sensitive, is sodium laureth sulfate. A secondary surfactant such as a foam booster may also be used and when so used, is present

at a level of from 1% (w/w) to 40% (w/w), preferably 3% (w/w) to 15% (w/w) and most preferred 8% (w/w). The preferred secondary surfactant is cocamidopropyl betaine.

Other minors well known to topical formulators may also be employed. Such can include surfactant thickeners at a level from 0.5% (w/w) to 15% (w/w), preferably 1% (w/w) to 8% (w/w) and most preferably at a 5% (w/w) level. One such suitable surfactant thickener is available commercially from Croda, Inc. and is sold as"Crothix Liquid".

Other minors can include emollients/moisturizers for skin-feel softness, antioxidants, preservatives, etc. These are referred to herein as"pharmaceutical minors", not so much for the amounts they represent which are typically 5% (w/w) or less, but rather because they are minor in the sense that they improve elegance as opposed to being skin actives.

Table 1 below gives the most preferred wash/cleanser formulation of the present invention: TABLE 1 Cleanser Formulation (Most Preferred) Chemical Name % (w/w) Water, Purified, USP 61. 5000 Sodium Sulfacetamide, USP 10. 0000 Cocamidopropyl Betaine 8.0000 Sodium Laureth Sulfate 12. 0000 PEG-60 Almond Triglycerides 3.0000 PEG 150 Pentaerythrity Tetrastearate & 5. 0000 PEG 6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides &F Water (Crothix Liquid) Methylparaben 0.2000 Edetate Disodium 0. 1500 Sodium Thiosulfate 0. 1500

The wash/cleanser generally will have a pH within the range of 6.0 to 9.0, preferably 6.5 to 8. 5. The composition of Table 1 has a pH of 7.4. The cleanser/wash viscosity will generally be within the range of 2,000 cps to 25,000 cps, preferably 4,000 cps to 20,000 cps. The composition of Table 1 has a viscosity of 11,000 cps. Representative ranges of broad, preferred and target or presently best known percentage levels of delivery systems for aerosol foams, gels, lotions and creams are shown in Tables 2,3, 4,5 and 6.

TABLE 2<BR> Sulfacetamide Sodium Aerosol Foam<BR> Active Ingredient :<BR> Sulfacetamide Sodium 10%<BR> Inactive Ingredients: Function target% (w/w) Broad% (w/w) Preferred%<BR> Glycerin Humectant 0.1 0.0-10 0.05-5. 0<BR> Cocamidopropyl Betaine Surfactant 0. 5 0.1-5. 0 0.2-3. 0<BR> Povidone Film former 1.0 0.05-3. 0 0.1-2. 0<BR> Quatemium-26 & Propylene Glycol Surfactant/Skin cond. 0.1 0.005-2. 0 0.05-1. 0<BR> PVP/DMAPA/Acrylates Copolymer Filmformer 2. 5 0.1-5. 0 1.0-4. 0<BR> Purified Water Vehicle 85.3 50.0-90. 0 55.0-87. 0<BR> Lactic Acid pH adjuster qs pH<BR> Sodium Thiosulfate Antioxidant 0.15 0.05-2. 0 0.05-1. 0<BR> Edetate Disodium Chelating agent 0.15 0.05 to 2.0 0.05-1. 0<BR> Methylparaben Preservative 0.20 0.05 to 1.0 0.08-0. 25

TABLE 3<BR> Sulfacetamide Sodium Gel<BR> Active Ingredient :<BR> Sulfacetamide Sodium 10%<BR> Inactive Ingredients : Function target% (w/w) Broad% (w/w) Preferred % (w/w)<BR> Glycerin Humectant 5.0 0.0-15 1.0-10. 0<BR> Quaternium-26&PropyleneGlycol Surfactant/skincond. 0.1 0.005-2. 0 0.05-1. 0<BR> Xanthan Gum Thickener 1.5 0.1-5. 0 0.5-3. 0<BR> Purified Water Vehicle 82.9 50.0-90. 0 55.0-87. 0<BR> Lactic Acid pH adjuster qs pH<BR> Sodium Thiosulfate Antioxidant 0.15 0.05-2. 0 0.05-1. 0<BR> Edetate Disodium Chelating agent 0.15 0.05 to 2.0 0.05-1. 0<BR> Methylparaben Preservative 0.20 0.05 to 1.0 0.08-. 25

TABLE 4<BR> Sulfacetamide Sodium Lotion<BR> Active Ingredient:<BR> Sulfacetamide Sodium 10%<BR> Inactive Ingredients : Function target% (w/w) Broad% (w/w) Preferred% (w/w)<BR> Glycerin Humectant 5. 0 0.0-15 1.0-10. 0<BR> Quaternium-26 & Propylene Glycol Surfactant/skin cond. 0.1 0.005-2. 0 0.05-1. 0<BR> Xanthan Gum Thickener 0.5 0.0-5. 0 0.1-2. 0<BR> Purified Water Vehicle 83.9 50.0-90. 0 55.0-87. 0<BR> Lactic Acid pH adjuster qs pH<BR> Sodium Thiosulfate Antioxidant 0.15 0.05-2. 0 0.05-1. 0<BR> Edetate Disodium Chelating agent 0.15 0.05 to 2.0 0.05-1. 0<BR> Methylparaben Preservative 0.20 0.05 to 1.0 0.08-0. 25

TABLE 5<BR> Sulfacetamide Sodium Cream<BR> Active Ingredient :<BR> Sulfacetamide Sodium 10%<BR> Inactive Ingredients : Function target% (w/w ! Broad% (w/w) Preferred% (w/w)<BR> Glycerin Humectant 5.0 0.0-20. 0 1.0-15. 0<BR> Quaternium-26 & Propylene Glycol Surfactant/skin cond. 0.1 0.005-2. 0 0.05-1. 0<BR> Purified Water Vehicle 70.9 40.0-90. 0 50.0-85. 0<BR> Emulsifying Wax Surfactant/Emulsifier 2. 0 0.1-10. 0 0.5-7. 0<BR> Incroquat Behenyl TMS Surfactant/Emulsifier 2. 5 0.1-10. 0 0.5-7. 0<BR> Cetyl Alcohol Emollient 2.5 0.1-10. 0 0.5-7. 0<BR> Stearyl Alcohol Emollient 2.5 0.1-10. 0 0.5-7. 0<BR> Sunflower Oil Emollient 4.0 0.1-15. 0 0.5-10. 0<BR> Sodium Thiosulfate Antioxidant 0.15 0.05-2. 0 0.05-1. 0<BR> Edetate Disodium Chelating agent 0.15 0.05 to 2.0 0.05-1. 0<BR> Methylparaben Preservative 0.20 0.05 to 1.0 0.08-0. 25

TABLE 6<BR> Sulfacetamide Sodium Cream<BR> Active Ingredient :<BR> Sulfacetamide Sodium 10%<BR> Inactive Ingredients: Function target% (w/w) Broad% (w/w) Preferred% (w/w)<BR> Glycerin Humectant 10.0 0.0-20. 0 1.0-15. 0<BR> Quaternium-26 & Propylene Glycol Surfactant/skin cond. 0.1 0.005-2. 0 0.05-1. 0<BR> Purified Water Vehicle 61.7 40.0-90. 0 50.0-85. 0<BR> Cetearyl Alcohol/Ceteareth 20 Surfactant/Emulsifier 2. 5 0.1-10. 0 0.5-7. 0<BR> PEG 100 Stearate Surfactant/Emulsifier 1. 0 0.1-10. 0 0.5-7. 0<BR> Cetyl Alcohol Emollient 2.0 0.1-10. 0 0.5-7. 0<BR> Glyceryl Stearate Emollient 1.0 0.1-10. 0 0.5-7. 0<BR> Mineral Oil Emollient 10.0 0.1-20. 0 0.5-15. 0<BR> Dimethicone Emollient 0.50 0.1-5. 0 0.2-1. 0<BR> Sodium Thiosulfate Antioxidant 0.15 0.05-2. 0 0.05-1. 0<BR> Methylparaben Preservative 0. 25 0.05-2. 0 0.05-1. 0<BR> Propylparaben Preservative 0.05 0.01-0. 1 0.02-0. 07<BR> Phenoxyethanol Preservative 0.75 0.05-1. 0 0.08-0. 25

The following example is offered to illustrate but not limit the invention.

EXAMPLE The formulation of Table 1 was used in the following study for determining effectiveness of the short contact time cleaning wash of the present invention.

This study was conducted as a multi-center, open-label study involving patients with seborrheic dermatitis of the face. Specific inclusion/exclusion criteria included: male and female patients 18 years of age and over with seborrheic dermatitis of the facial area.

If the investigator determined that the patient required further treatment after an initial 10 day treatment period, the patient was continued after at least a one day wash-out period.

The individual symptoms of erythema, scaling and roughness of different areas of the face (central forehead, eyebrows, eye area, jaw-cheek area, nasolabial folds, nasal creases, and the central chin area) were rated by the investigator according to a 4-point scale (0 to 3). A global severity score, according to a 5-point (none, minimal, mild, moderate and severe) scale, was also used by the investigator to evaluate each patient. The patient rated erythema, scaling and roughness, however, he/she evaluated the entire facial area (as opposed to the 7 different areas evaluated by the investigator). Subjective symptoms such as burning, stinging and itching were also assessed by each patient. A global improvement rating and product questionnaire was collected from the patient upon study completion. The overall assessment conclusion is here reported.

Patients were instructed to use the product twice daily according to labeling.

Patients were instructed to wet the skin, liberally apply product to the areas to be cleansed (forehead, chin, cheeks, nose, eyebrows, etc. ), massage gently into skin for 10-20 seconds working into a full lather, rinse thoroughly and pat dry. If the product dried during this process, the cleanser was rinsed off sooner or used less often. Rinsing with plain water removed any excess medication. Repeat applications were allowed according to the investigator's judgment. In mild cases involving the scalp, including no inflammatory types with scaling (dandruff), the wash may have been used to shampoo the patient's hair as directed by the physician.

Table 7 below, shows the areas of the body affected with seborrhea for the treated patients.

TABLE 7

Areas of Body with Seborrhea Facial Involvement Number of Percent of Patients Patients Central Forehead 31 72% Eyebrows 38 88% Eye Area 13 30% Jaw and Cheek Area 25 58% Nasolabial Folds 27 63% Nasal Creases 30 70% Central Chin Area 24 56% Other Locations: Scalp 24 56% Ears 18 42% Axillae 2 5% Presternal area 7 16% Mid-line of the back 2 5% Arms or legs 3 7% Groin and private areas 1 2% Chest 1 2% Neck 3 7% A total of 43 patients were enrolled in this study. All of the patients that completed one or two courses of therapy were cleared (40,98%) or did not require further therapy (1; 2%). Two patients (4.7%) were prematurely discontinued, 11 (25.6%) patients only required one course of therapy and 30 (69. 8%) patients required two courses of therapy to clear their condition completely.

Patients were advised to follow the dosage regime earlier described herein.

Thorough rinsing was emphasized. These reports ended with the successful treatment. No patients reported irritation of the eyes.

From the above it can be seen that of the 41 patients that completed the study, 40 (98%) of the patients were considered cleared, and that the composition accomplishes all of its stated objectives.