Do you sometimes experience uncomfortable itching, burning, or slight redness in your private area, that is, the vagina? This is actually a common problem for many women. So today we are talking about a special cream that doctors recommend that you can use in such cases.
What is this Benzalkonium Chloride; Benzocaine cream?
Simply put, this is a combination of two types of medication.
1. Benzalkonium Chloride: This is an antiseptic . This means it helps to control the development of infections by destroying harmful bacteria on the skin's surface.
2. Benzocaine: This is an anesthetic . It's like the injection you get before a tooth extraction. When applied, it temporarily relieves the pain, itching, and inflammation in the area, giving you great relief.
So, with the combination of these two, this cream is mainly used to control itching, inflammation, redness, and minor infections associated with the skin around the vagina.
Things you need to tell your doctor before using this medicine
Before giving you this cream, it is very important that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition. Because we need to be a little careful when using this medicine with some medical conditions. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions below, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
| If you have these conditions, inform your doctor. |
|---|
| Diabetes Mellitus means high blood sugar levels. |
| Certain blood disorders, such as G6PD deficiency. |
| Any type of heart disease. |
| High thyroid levels. |
| Liver diseases. |
| Lung or respiratory diseases such as asthma or COPD. |
| If you are a tobacco or cigarette smoker. |
| If you have previously had an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in this medicine, any other medicine, food, preservatives, or dyes. |
| If you are pregnant or expecting a baby. |
| If you are a mother who is breastfeeding your baby. |
How to use this cream correctly?
Remember these things well.
- Apply it to the skin only! This is for external use only . Do not take it by mouth for any reason.
- Wash your hands: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before and after applying the medicine.
- Do not let it get into your eyes: This is very harmful to your eyes. If you accidentally get it in your eyes, immediately flush your eyes with clean tap water for several minutes.
- Apply correctly: Use only as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the medicine package. Do not apply too much or too often. Apply a thin film to cover the affected area.
- If given to children: For children over 12 years of age, the doctor may recommend this in some special cases. However, you should definitely seek medical advice about it.
Important: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never give your medicine to someone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you.
What to do if you overdose ?
If you think you have taken more of this medicine than you think, or if someone has taken it in their mouth, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What are the things to be careful about when using it?
- Pay attention to symptoms: If your symptoms (itching, burning) don't improve after a few days of using this, or if they seem to get worse, be sure to see your doctor again. If you want to use this for longer than a week, talk to your doctor about that too.
- Be careful of numbness: Since this cream numbs the area, you won't feel any pain. Therefore, there is a high chance of injury to the area. Avoid scratching the skin hard or getting it caught in tight clothing while it is numb.
- Skin discoloration: This is a very rare but serious side effect. If you notice your lips, inside your mouth, or fingernails turning blue or gray , stop using the medication immediately and see a doctor.
Side effects that may occur with this medicine
Like any medicine, this one can cause minor side effects in some people. Let's break them down into two categories.
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic Reaction | Skin rash, severe itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Methemoglobinemia (Interference with oxygen transport in the blood) | Difficulty breathing; Fast or irregular heartbeat; Fainting; Headache; Pale, gray, or blue skin, lips, or nails; Extreme fatigue. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Skin discomfort | A slight burning or stinging sensation where the medicine was applied. |
How should I store the medicine? How should I dispose of it?
- Storage: Keep this cream out of the reach of children and pets. It is best to store it at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius). Do not use expired medication.
- Disposal: The best way to dispose of expired or unwanted medications is to donate them to a collection program. However, since this is not practical in our country, you can do this: Take the medication out of the tube, mix it with something like used coffee grounds, soil, or cat litter, put it in a tightly sealed bag, and throw it in the trash. Do not flush it down the toilet for any reason. If you are unsure, ask your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- This cream is for topical use only, that is, external use.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have and the medications you are taking.
- If your skin, lips, or nails turn blue/gray after taking the medicine, or if you have difficulty breathing, seek medical advice immediately.
- This is a medicine prescribed for you only. Do not share it with others.
- If symptoms do not improve or worsen, see your doctor again.
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