The invention provides a biological dressing for treatment of a dermatological
disease comprised of a gum resin, a topically acceptable volatile solvent, and
a pharmacologically active agent. The gum resin is present in a suitable amount
that the composition, when the solvent evaporates, will dry to form a solid coating
that sticks to the skin or mucosal membrane to which the composition is applied
and maintain the pharmacologically active agent over a sustained period of time
in contact with sites on the skin or mucosal membranes exhibiting symptoms of the
disease. Methods are provided for treating symptoms of dermatological diseases
with such a pharmacological composition. Biological dressings including tincture
of benzoin and clotrimazole are shown to be efficacious for the long-term amelioration
of symptoms of athlete's foot.
