Unlike the various creams and ointments already used in the treatment of psoriasis that require consistent application, the patch contains two active ingredients and releases them onto the skin at different rates, without requiring frequent re-application.

Source: University of Copenhagen

"We have developed a dry patch, which contains active ingredients for treatment of psoriasis, and which reduces the frequency of use to once a day. It has the potential to make treatment more comfortable for psoriasis patients," the researchers added.

According to the developers of the patch, the two ingredients – salicylic acid and hydrocortisone — are released in a controlled manner and at different rates. Further, they serve different functions, with salicylic acid released immediately to remove the dead skin cells that have accumulated on the skin, while hydrocortisone decreases inflammation of the skin.

To create the patch, researchers used electrospinning, which is a method where high voltage is applied to a polymer solution to produce synthetic nanofibers. The fibers are then used to make a fiber mat that attaches to the skin, much like a plaster.

The patch prototype was tested on pig skin and human skin cells and the results were measured against those of creams and ointments currently available at pharmacies. The researchers found that the patch is just as effective as standard treatments.

Two following articles detail the patch technology: "Electrospun dressings with a dual release functionality of two anti-inflammatory active ingredients," which appears in the journal RSC Pharmaceutics and "Electrospun fiber patches for inflammatory skin diseases — Correlating in vitro drug release with ex vivo permeation," which appears in the journal Biomaterials Advances.