Washington: Researchers have developed a dissolvable oral strip to immediately relieve pain from burns caused by ingestion of hot foods and liquids like coffee, pizza or soup.
Jason McConville, lead researcher of the study from University of Texas, Austin, designed the strip for controlled delivery of a local anesthetic – benzocaine - and a therapeutic polymer.
Benzocaine, which is commonly used as a topical pain reliever in dental products and throat lozenges, was chosen for its non-irritating properties.
The strip is applied directly to the burned part of the tongue, cheek or roof of the mouth. It sticks to the affected area and does not interfere with normal day-to-day activities, as it quickly dissolves for instant pain relief and promotes healing.
“We found these strips to be non-toxic, which has huge potential for anyone who burns their mouth while eating and drinking hot foods—and that’s just about everyone,” McConville said.
“The strips look and behave similar to breath freshening strips that you might find at your local drugstore,” he added.
The findings of the study will be presented at the 2012 American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Annual Meeting and Exposition in Chicago, Ill., on Oct. 14 – 18.
ANI
