Using biocompatible polymers (I), containing carboxy and O- or N-sulfonate substituents, in the production of pharmaceutical, dermatological or cosmetic compositions (A) or medical devices (B) for the prevention, alleviation and/or treatment of (or protection of tissue against) discomfort, distress, pruritis, irritation and/or pain, is new. The use of biocompatible polymers of formula (I) in the production of pharmaceutical, dermatological or cosmetic compositions (A) or medical devices (B) for the prevention, alleviation and/or treatment of (or protection of tissue against) discomfort, distress, pruritis, irritation and/or pain. A aX xY y (I) A : monomer； X : RCOOR'； Y : O- or N-sulfonate group attached to A, of formula -ROSO 3R' or -NRSO 3R'； R : linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon chain (optionally containing one or more aromatic rings)； R' : H or a cation； a : number of monomer units； x : degree of substitution of the monomers A by X； and y : degree of substitution of the monomers A by Y. ACTIVITY : Dermatological； Antipruritic； Analgesic； Vulnerary； Ophthalmological； Auditory； Antiinflammatory； Antiallergic； Antiulcer； Neuroprotective； Antipsoriatic； Antiasthmatic； Osteopathic； Antiarthritic； Gastrointestinal-Gen. Typically sunburn was treated using a polymer (Ia) consisting of dextran of molecular weight 2 kD which had been carboxymethylated (degree of substitution 0.4-0.5) and O-sulfated (degree of substitution 0.7-1). A solution of (Ia) (100 Microg/ml) in physiological saline containing methyl cellulose (in a amount sufficient to give a thin pasty consistency) was applied to the affected areas. Pain was alleviated within 10-30 minutes, and did not reappear the next day. MECHANISM OF ACTION : None given.
