Have you ever had to undergo a minor skin surgery or a minor procedure under the skin? You may have seen the doctor apply a numbing cream to the skin to numb the area. Only after the area has numbed for a few minutes do you do anything. In this article, we will talk about a special medicinal cream that is used to numb the skin.
What exactly is this Lidocaine; Tetracaine cream?
This is a combination of two drugs. They are Lidocaine and Tetracaine . Both of these are called 'local anesthetics'. Simply put, their job is to temporarily stop pain signals from being sent to the brain via nerves in a specific area of the body.
Imagine you need to have a small tumor removed from your arm. Instead of numbing your entire body, the doctor can apply this cream just to the tumor, numbing that area. Then you can perform the surgery without feeling any pain. This is the primary use of this cream. It is usually used to prepare the skin before a medical procedure.
Things you need to tell your doctor before using this medicine
It is very important to inform your doctor about your complete health history before using this cream. Especially if you have any of the following conditions, you should definitely tell them.
| Health condition or problem | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Allergies to Lidocaine, Tetracaine or other anesthetics | If you have had an allergic reaction to this type of medicine before, you may have a severe reaction again. |
| G6PD deficiency (Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency) | This is a hereditary condition that affects the red blood cells in the blood. There is a risk of complications from this medication. |
| Methemoglobinemia | This is a condition that affects the blood's ability to carry oxygen, and this medication can make it worse. |
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant | It is essential to seek medical advice before using any medication during pregnancy. |
| Being a breastfeeding mother | You should talk to your doctor about the possibility of the medication passing to your baby through breast milk. |
The most important thing is to give the doctor a complete list of all the medications you are taking (prescribed by other doctors, purchased from the pharmacy), vitamins, and traditional medicines.
How to use this cream and what to be careful of
This is not a medicine that you can take home and use. This is for external use only. It is usually applied to your skin by a doctor or trained nurse in a hospital or clinic.
- Use in young children: This medicine may be recommended for young children in some special cases. However, special precautions should be followed. Therefore, if you are using this for your child, talk to your pediatrician about it.
- Overdose: This is a medical professional's use, so the chance of an overdose is low. However, if you think you may have taken too much of the medicine, contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital immediately. Or go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) .
Avoid contact with eyes!
This is very important. This cream can be very harmful to the eyes. If you accidentally get it in your eyes, immediately rinse them thoroughly with clean water. Then, protect your eyes until you regain sensation, that is, until the stinging sensation goes away.
Take care of dull skin
The area where this cream is applied will be numb and numb for a while. You will not feel any pain during this time. Therefore, there is a high chance of injury to the area. Avoid scratching, rubbing hard, or exposing the skin to extreme heat or cold until the numbness has completely gone and the area has returned to normal.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medication, this one can cause side effects in some people. Some of them require immediate medical attention, while others are less serious.
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| • Severe allergic reactions (skin rash, itching, swelling of the face/lips/tongue) | • Difficulty breathing |
| • Chest pain | • Irregular heartbeat (fast, slow , or irregular) |
| • Severe dizziness, feeling like you might pass out | • Seizures |
| • Mental confusion or severe restlessness | • Changes in vision |
| • Tremors or extreme fatigue | • Nausea or vomiting |
| Usually not serious (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
| • An unusual sensation such as redness, slight swelling or numbness of the skin where the cream was applied. (This usually goes away after a while) | |
This list does not include all possible side effects. In addition, if you experience any unusual symptoms, talk to your doctor about them.
Can this medicine interact with other medications?
Yes. Some medications can affect the way this cream works. That's why it's important to tell your doctor about all the medications you're taking. This can interact with the following classes of medications in particular:
- Acetaminophen
- Some types of antibiotics : e.g. `dapsone`, `nitrofurantoin`, `sulfasalazine`
- Some seizure medications : e.g. `phenobarbital`, `phenytoin`
- Nitroglycerin
- Chloroquine
- Other types of local anesthetics
This list is not complete, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking.
Take-Home Message
- Lidocaine; Tetracaine is a medicated cream used by doctors to numb the skin before a medical procedure.
- This is not a medication you should use at home. It should always be applied by a medical professional.
- It is essential to tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all other medications you are taking.
- Once the skin is numb after applying the cream, protect the area from scratching, injury, and excessive heat.
- If you experience any severe side effects such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, or severe dizziness, seek medical advice immediately.
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