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Botox Sponge Replaces Needles for Rhinitis Patients
Reported October 16, 2009
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- German researchers may have found a pain-free
treatment for sneezing and sniffling rhinitis patients, replacing needles
with soft sponges.
Millions of American rhinitis patients suffer from an inflamed inner lining
of their nose, causing itching, congestion and sneezing. Until now, doctors
treated this condition with botulinum toxin (Botox) injections. Researchers
now say that sponges soaked with Botox may produce the same results.
The University Medical Center Gottingen, Germany, conducted a study in which
their sponge-treated patients kept a 'nose diary' for twelve weeks following
treatment. Participants inserted Botox-soaked sponges in their noses for 30
minutes. Participants recorded their daily sneezes, tissue use and
congestion for the next 12 weeks. Treated patients significantly improved in
all three categories.
“We've shown that the minimally invasive application method of BTA with a
sponge is a safe, painless method which can lead to a long lasting reduction
of nasal hypersecretion," Rainer Laskai, lead researcher at the University
was quoted as saying.
SOURCE: BioMed Central's open access journal, Head & Face Medicine, 2009 |
