in diseases and injuries such as lupus , atopic dermatitis , psoriasis , decubitus ulcers and diaper rash , inflammation occurs prior to the formation of lesions or rashes . degranulation of mast cells results in the release of tryptase , chymase , tnf - alpha , cathepsin - g , histamines , etc . which causes destruction of tissue and proliferation of skin cells . compositions containing at least 0 . 5 to 5 % by weight of a cromolyn compound can be administered topically at the initiation of an inflammatory response or prior thereto to desensitize par - 2 . the cromolyn compounds prevent the degranulation of mast cells which cause the release of the destructive proteassses or when inflammation has started to shut down the inflammatory cycle . it is preferable to incorporate the cromolyn compounds in compositions which increase the penetration of the cromolyn compounds into the skin . increase of penetration can be the result of an occlusive bandage which can be formed by a hydrophilic lipid miscible ointment , including olive oil , mineral oil , and liposome . penetration aids include cyclodextrin cationic quaternary ammonium salts , and arginine - containing amino acids , particularly l - arginine . according to one - embrochment of the present invention , a hydrophilic ointment base is utilized not only to act as an occlusive bandage but to act as a protective barrier . penetrating agents are used to enhance the penetration through the skin barrier at the first signs of inflammation . steroids differ in penetration capabilities than cromolyn . water by itself is a penetrating agent but works differently with each of cromolyn and corticosteroids . cyclodextrin alpha , beta or gamma or arginine - containing amino acids , particularly l - arginine promote penetration of each of the components . the addition of a cationic quaternary ammonium compound is not only a preservative but also promotes passage through the lipid barrier of the stratum corneum . other delivering vehicles include olive oil , and liposomes , particularly novasome ™ a liposome of eavsco corp . of new jersey . the cromolyn is generally utilized in an amount of about 0 . 5 to 5 % by weight of composition in the prophylactic treatment of skin diseases . steroids of up to 0 . 5 % by weight can be used in the cromolyn composition to control leukotriene b - 4 and the inflammation . the hydrophilic lipid miscible base which may be used includes petrolatum , mineral oil , mineral wax , wax wool alcohol and combinations thereof a preferred vehicle contains about 20 to 50 % by weight of petrolatum , about 5 to 20 % by weight of mineral oil , about 0 to 20 % by weight of mineral wax , about 0 to 10 % by weight of wool wax alcohol , and about 1 to 10 % by weight water . the corticosteroids which may be used include beta - methasone , triamcinolone acetonide , hydrocortisone , prednisone , dexamethasone , fluoroandrenolide , and the like . the cationic quaternary ammonium salts which include a greater number of short - chain alkyl groups in the structure , incline toward better properties . specific examples of such compounds that may be used in the compositions of this invention include di - isobutyl cresoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride , di - isobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride , myristyl dimethylbenzene ammonium chloride , benzalkonium chloride , cetyl pyridinium chloride , coconut dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride , stearyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride , alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride , alkyl diethyl benzyl ammonium chloride , alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium bromide , di - isobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride , di - isobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl alkyl ammonium chloride , methyl - dodecyl benzyl trimethyl ammonium chloride , cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide , octadecyl dimethyl ethyl ammonium bromide , cetyl dimethyl ethyl ammonium bromide , octadecenyl - 9 - dimethyl ethyl ammonium bromide , dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride , dodecylo trimethyl ammonium chloride , octadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride , octadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide , hexadecynyl trimethyl ammonium iodine , octyl - trimethyl ammonium fluoride , and mixtures thereof . other water dispersible salts , such as the acetates , sulfates , nitrates , and phosphates , are effective in place of the halides , but the chlorides and bromides are preferred . drug delivery from aqueous solutions of cyclodextrins is both diffusion controlled and membrane controlled . the preferred quaternary ammonium salt for use in the invention is benzalkonium chloride . the amount used is generally about 0 . 01 % to 0 . 5 % by weight of composition . the benzalkonium chloride is commercially available and is sold under the name “ barquat or quaternium - 15 .” the term “ cromolyn ” as used herein is meant to include cromolyn sodium , disodium cromolyn and esters thereof the following examples further illustrate the practice of this invention , but are not intended to be limiting thereof . it will be appreciated that the selection of actual amounts of cromolyn and corticosteroids to be administered to any individual patient ( human or animal ) will fall within the discretion of the attending physician and will be prescribed in a manner commensurate with the appropriate dosages will depend on the stage of the disease and like factors uniquely within the purview of the attending physician . cetearyl alcohol glycerin palm oil glyceride ceteareth - 20 mineral oil petrolatum sorbitol advocate oil glyceryl dilaurate dimetticone isopropyl palmitate stearic acid allantoin squalene monoxylnol - 9 sodium carbomer - 941 methyl paraben quaternium - 15 propyl paraben fragrance was added an aqueous solution containing 2 % cromolyn based on total weight of composition , 0 . 5 % of hydrocortisone acetate based on total weight of composition and 4 % percent of water based on total weight of composition . advantageously , cyclodextrin - beta is included . the composition can be used by patients with atopic dermatitis at the first signs of inflammation . 4 grams of cromolyn was admixed with 0 . 5 gram of benzalkonium chloride , 0 . 05 gram of cyclodextrin - alpha and 0 . 25 gram of hydrocortisone acetate in 10 grams of water . after the cromolyn was completely dissolved , the resulting composition was mixed into 85 grams of novasome ™. the resulting composition can be used to prevent diaper rash or decubitus ulcers . this composition is useful to reduce to prevent lesions for lupus patients .
a method and composition for preventing the formation of lesions in a patient having a site of inflammation by the use of a cromolyn compound . the cromolyn compound is used with a composition containing penetrating aids .