Skin patch for use in contact immunotherapy

A skin patch for the topical administration of controlled quantities of a contactant to intentionally induce a contact dermatitis for treatment of a medical condition responsive to contact immunotherapy, the patch comprising;

• a gel matrix containing a standardized dosage of a contactant intended to induce a contact dermatitis in human skin, said contactant selected from the group comprised of dinitrochlorobenzene, squaric acid dibutyl ester, diphenylcycloproenone and their derivatives;
• a shroud overlying the gel matrix, the shroud being impermeable to passage of the contactant;
• a flange surrounding the shroud, the flange having an inner adhesive surface for temporarily and releasably attaching it to the skin of a user for a period of time sufficient to induce contact dermatitis;
• and
• a discardable release liner bonded to the adhesive surface of the flange for temporarily covering the adhesive means prior to use.

A method of treating medical conditions is a patient responsive to contact immunotherapy, comprising the steps of:

• a. adhesively applying to a skin surface of the patient a skin patch containing an effective amount of a contactant known to induce contact dermatitis in said patient, said contactant selected from the group comprised of dinitrochlorobenzene, squaric acid dibutyl ester, diphenylcyclopropenone and their derivatives;
• b. maintaining said patch on the skin of the patient for a predetermined period of time sufficient to intentionally induce contact dermatitis, and then removing said patch;
• and
• c. reapplying additional skin patches containing said contactant at a predetermined intervals to maintain said contact dermantitis until said medical condition is resolved.