any scientific evidence that amber teething necklaces work

[Roryrory]

Can anyone point me to any studies which show these actually work? I am particularly interested in links to websites. Mods is it ok for people to post links in this thread for this purpose, as others may be interested in the results?

[ss_storm]

Maybe google "succinic acid" as that is the 'active ingredient' if you like in amber that gives it the pain relieving qualities.

[luna moth]

Good call, roryrory. DH won't commit to anything without scientific backup

[suse]

Rory, the research I did when I got DS' necklace (and sorry I can't point you in the direction of any studies because it was a long time ago) was that succinic acid is a known anti-inflammatory and analgesic, with a history of use in Baltic region traditional medicine (Baltic amber having the highest concentration of succinic acid of any amber). There were studies done in the 1930s (approx) which clinically demonstrated the compound's effectiveness. However, the traditional use of it was generally in oral preparations - although I don't know the exact methods, the gist of it was that the amber was treated with heat/melted, then added or infused to a liquid. I think I also read of a method which used it in a hot poultice.

So whilst it has been clinically demonstrated that a) succinic acid is effective as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory, and b) heat causes release of succinic acid from amber, it has never been clinically demonstrated whether body heat alone is sufficient to do so, or in quantities sufficient to be effective when absorbed through the skin. However, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence to suggest its effectiveness.

From my own personal experience, my DS wears one, yet I am not convinced that it is effective. If he is teething badly, I do notice a slight difference in mood (implying lesser pain tolerance) if he does not wear it, but I do not find it effective enough on its own and still need to use analgesics overnight when he is especially in pain. But my DS has always been particularly troubled by teething, so I would not base my own experience with it as being in any way indicative of its effectiveness as a whole. It would be akin to saying that just because Panadol is not effective at providing relief from pain from a broken leg, that it is not effective at all.

HTH!