Therapeutic as well as preventive measures to alleviate the symptoms of dermatologic and other conditions and disorders with phenyl alpha-acyloxyacetamide derivatives is disclosed. Dermatologic and other conditions and disorders in humans in which the compounds may be useful include pruritus, atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, acne, dry skin, dandruff, malodors of integumental areas; and various aches, pains and discomforts of skin, joints and other body parts. The phenyl alpha-acyloxyacetamide derivatives include, for example, N-ethyl phenyl alpha-acetoxyacetamide, N-benzyl phenyl-alpha-acetoxyacetamide, N-phenethyl phenyl-alpha-acetoxyacetamide, N-benzyl diphenyl-alpha-acetoxyacetamide and N-phenethyl diphenyl-alpha-acetoxyacetamide. The compositions containing the active ingredients are also useful for treatment of skin conditions or disorders, and musculoskeletal disorders, of domestic animals, for example dogs, such as dry skin, scurf, eczema, mange, prurigo, malodors, arthritis or myositis. Some phenyl-alpha-acyloxyacetamide derivatives may have a tranquilizing effect.