A team of scientists in the US recently designed a new dissolvable strip to treat oral burns caused by eating or drinking excessively hot items. The new strip can be used on any affected area in the mouth; it dissolves rapidly giving while delivering a local anesthetic which helps to ease the pain caused by burns.
This invention was created by a team led by Dr. Jason McConville, assistant professor of pharmaceutics at the University of Texas at Austin's College of Pharmacy. The team said that the new strip is used directly on any burned area inside the oral cavity. Once the strip starts to dissolve, instant pain relief sensation is achieved.
The new strip includes benzocaine, a commonly used local anesthetic. It is also non-toxic and can be used safely in patients with mouth burns. Dr. McConville explained "The strips look and behave similar to breath-freshening strips that you might find at your local drugstore. All materials used are relatively inexpensive. It is suggested that this film could successfully provide instant, prolonged and affordable relief from pain caused by oral burns."
Oral burns occur frequently and the painful effect may continue for several days. Various areas in the mouth can be affected by such burns, including regions of the tongue and the hard palate.
Dr. McConville introduced the new strip at the 2012 American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists' annual meeting and exposition in Chicago, Ill. He is going to develop a stronger strip that will be suitable to heal more severe burns.
