Burnt your mouth on hot food? Scientists create dissolvable patch that can instantly soothe your pain

Researchers say patch could end the pain of food and drink that is too hot

Can be applied directly to affected areas

Team now working on lnger laster version for more serious burns



The pain of biting into a scorchingly hot pizza or scalding your mouth on a cup of coffee is something we have all experienced.

However, researchers believe they finally have a solution - a stick on patch that can instantly numb the pain.

It is a dissolvable oral strip that it placed directly on the burnt area to give instant relief - and help boost the healing process.



Researchers say their invention of a stick on patch could end the pain of eating food that is too hot

HOW IT WORKS

The strip contains a local anesthetic called benzocaine and a therapeutic polymer to help healing. 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 quickly dissolves.

Researchers today unveiled their groundbreaking product at a Chicago conference.

'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,' said Jason McConville of the University of Texas at Austin .

'The strips look and behave similar to breath freshening strips that you might find at your local drugstore.'

The strip contains a local anesthetic, benzocaine, and a therapeutic polymer to help healing.

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 the researchers say it won't interfere with normal day-to-day activities, as it quickly dissolves.

Benzocaine, commonly used as a topical pain reliever in dental products and throat lozenges, was chosen as for its non-irritating properties.

Now based at the University of New Mexico, McConville, and his team, will explore creating a stronger oral strip to treat more severe burns lasting longer than 2-3 days.

The team say the strip can instantly soothe the burn, and also contains a chemical to make healing faster.

The next step in furthering their research will be to test the strips in humans and experiment with taste-masking, before approching potential manufacturers to mass produce the product.

