Dissolvable Oral Strip Provides Instant Relief For Burns Caused by Hot Food and Liquids
Posted on October 22, 2012
Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin say they have created a dissolvable oral strip that provides instant relief from burns caused by consuming hot foods and liquids, such as coffee, pizza, and soup. The strip delivers a a local anesthetic, benzocaine, and a therapeutic polymer. The research was presented at the 2012 American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Annual Meeting and Exposition.
Researchers say the strip is applied to the burned part of the tongue, cheek or roof of the mouth. It then sticks there and quickly dissolves. Wired reports that the strip made it the lab is mango-flavored, but it could potentially be any flavor.
Lead researcher Jason McConville, Ph.D., said in a release, "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. The strips look and behave similar to breath freshening strips that you might find at your local drugstore."
The researchers plan to test a stronger oral strip on more severe burns.