New Dissolvable Strips Relieve Oral Burns

New Dissolvable Strips Relieve Oral Burns

The dreaded “pizza burn” may be a thing of the past, thanks to researchers from the University of Texas at Austin who have developed a dissolvable oral strip that instantly soothes the pain of oral burns caused by hot foods and drinks. The strip delivers benzocaine—an agent often used in topical anesthetics—in addition to a therapeutic polymer, and is applied directly to the burned part of the mouth. Lead investigator Jason McConville, PhD, reports that besides pain relief, the strip also promotes healing. McConville and his colleagues presented their research in Chicago at the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists Annual Meeting and Exposition in mid-October.

According to McConville, this development has “huge potential for anyone who burns his or her mouth while eating and drinking—and that’s just about everyone.” He adds that the strips “look and behave similarly to breath-freshening strips that you might find at your local drugstore.”

The researchers are now working to address more significant burns that endure for more than 2 to 3 days, as well as adding flavor to the product. The dissolvable oral strip still needs to undergo human testing for safety and efficacy before it can be released to the public.