Sometimes it would be nice to have a way to reduce the pain and itching that comes with a minor injury, insect bite, or minor burn, right? Well, today we're going to talk about a type of medicine that can be used in times like these, a type of medicine that can be applied to the skin to numb the area. These work like magic, temporarily numbing the area.
What is this topical anesthetic?
Simply put, a topical anesthetic is a type of medicine that is applied to the surface of your skin or the delicate membranes inside your body (in medicine, we call this the mucosa ) to temporarily numb the area. It's like a doctor sometimes sprays a small amount of medicine before giving you an injection, or you apply a medicated cream. This means that you don't feel anything for a while, such as pain or itching (sometimes called 'pruritus' by doctors). This is not an injection, it's a topical application.
Imagine, these are used to relieve discomfort in your mouth, gums, nose, throat, ears, some parts of your eyes (especially the whites of the eyes, called the `conjunctiva` ), or in places like the `rectum` and `vagina`.
In what forms do these come?
Now look, these topical anesthetics come in different forms. There are forms that you can get at the pharmacy, as well as special forms that doctors use.
- In the form of creams .
- As ear drops .
- As eye drops .
- As gels .
- As lotions .
- As ointments .
- As patches that stick to the skin .
- As solutions/liquids .
- In the form of sprays .
So, depending on your needs, a doctor or pharmacist will decide which form of this is appropriate.
What are these types of topical anesthetics?
There are more than one type of painkiller. Some of them you can buy at the pharmacy without a prescription ( `Over-the-counter` or `OTC` drugs). There are others, which are only used by doctors and are used for minor medical procedures.
Some of the main types of topical anesthetics used are:
- Benzocaine
- Dibucaine
- Lidocaine
- Phenol
- Pramoxine
- Prilocaine
Each of these medications can come in different forms (such as creams, gels, sprays) and are used for different purposes. Often, these come in combination with other medicinal ingredients. For example, they may come in combination with things like hydrocortisone (also a medicine for skin allergies), menthol (which gives a cooling sensation to the skin), or methyl salicylate (a painkiller). These ingredients are added according to the purpose for which each medicine is made.
What are these used for?
Okay, now let's see what exactly these topical anesthetics help with. There are cases where these are used at home, as well as cases where doctors use them in hospitals and clinics.
Opportunities to use at home
Topical anesthetics, which you can buy over-the-counter at the pharmacy, are commonly used to reduce pain and itching caused by:
- Insect bites or stings: When bitten by an ant, stung by a mosquito, or stung by a wasp.
- Minor burns and sunburn.
- Minor cuts, scratches.
- Some types of skin rashes: Especially for rashes that are itchy when exposed to poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.
- For the pain and itching caused by hemorrhoids .
- For sore throats (there are some sprays).
- For mouth ulcers (`Canker sores`) .
- Itching caused by vaginal yeast infections .
But it's important to remember this: These topical anesthetics only temporarily relieve symptoms. They don't cure any disease or eliminate the cause of the disease. For example, if you have severe eczema or a fungal infection, you should definitely seek treatment from a doctor.
Cases used by doctors
Now let's see what doctors use these for. Sometimes they use this topical anesthetic alone. Other times, they use it to numb an injection, as well as to reduce the pain of the injection.
In skin treatments:
- Reduce pain before an injection: For example, when giving vaccines, or when inserting an IV line (intravenous line) or an arterial line.
- Reduce pain before minor dermatologic procedures and laser procedures: For example, laser hair removal , tattoo removal, and shave or excision biopsies.
- For minor surgeries related to the male genitalia: For example, circumcision , meatotomy, and removal of genital warts.
- Relieve symptoms of some chronic pain conditions: For example, pain caused by muscle knots (`Myofascial trigger points`) and conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia .
In eye-related treatments:
- Numb the surface of the eye: For some tests, for example, the Schirmer's test , for minor laser surgeries, and for intravitreal injections.
In treatments related to the mouth and throat:
- During dental treatments, numb the gums: Before administering the local anesthetic injection that is used to extract or fill a tooth.
- Numb the mouth and throat: When examining a conscious patient by inserting a tube through their throat (`Awake fiberoptic intubation`) or examining the larynx (`Laryngoscopy`).
- When abscesses develop and become pus-filled, cutting them out and removing them can reduce pain.
In treatments performed inside the ear (on the tympanic membrane):
- Reduce pain during procedures such as tympanocentesis, which involves removing fluid from behind the eardrum .
- During a surgery such as a myringotomy .
- When inserting, removing, or manipulating a tympanostomy tube.
In treatments related to the nose and nasal cavity:
- Examine the nasal cavity: Use instruments called rigid or flexible endoscopes to look inside the nose.
- Help control nosebleeds ('Epistaxis').
- Relieve pain in nasal fractures.
How does this topical anesthetic work?
It's very simple. These topical anesthetics temporarily block signals from nerve endings in your skin or the mucous membranes we mentioned earlier. Imagine, your skin feels pain, itches, or is touched when a message is sent to your brain through nerves. What this medicine does is temporarily block those messages. That's why you lose feeling in that area. But this is a superficial thing , meaning it only affects the top layers of your skin. It doesn't affect deeper areas.
How do you use these properly?
This is very important. Even if you buy a topical anesthetic from the pharmacy without a prescription, you should definitely read the instructions that come with it. Or ask your doctor or pharmacist. The package clearly states where to apply it, how much to apply, and how often to apply it.
If you are using this type of medication on a young child, check the age limit on the medication package to make sure it is appropriate for that age. After applying this to your child's skin, never let it go into their mouth. These topical anesthetics can cause serious side effects if they are put in the mouth or swallowed, especially in young children.
When not in use, keep this medicine in a safe place out of the reach of children and household pets.
What are the side effects of this?
Because there are so many types of topical anesthetics, and because they can be combined with other pharmaceutical ingredients, the potential side effects are also varied. If you are buying an ``OTC`` medication from a pharmacy, be sure to read the side effects section on the package carefully.
These topical anesthetics are generally safe . Side effects mainly occur if you use too much of the medication (that is, if you absorb too much into your body) or if you swallow the medication. So follow the instructions on the medication you buy from the pharmacy exactly.
Sometimes you may experience side effects like these:
- Blurred or double vision .
- Sensation of ringing in the ears (Tinnitus) .
- Metallic taste in the mouth .
- Dizziness .
- Drowsiness .
- Increased heart rate (Tachycardia) or irregular heartbeat (Arrhythmia) .
- Headache .
- Fatigue .
- Agitation or confusion .
- Muscle twitching .
- Seizures .
Allergic reactions
Although rare, an allergic reaction to this topical anesthetic can occur. Symptoms of an allergy include:
- Redness or discoloration of the skin that spreads beyond the area where the medicine was applied.
- Itching the skin a lot.
- Hives .
- Swelling `(Swelling)` .
Usually, minor allergies will go away on their own after a while. However, you should stop using the medicine that caused it. If these symptoms continue to worsen, see a doctor.
These are the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis):
* Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat.
* Difficulty breathing (`Dyspnea`), shortness of breath, or wheezing.
* Dizziness and/or fainting.
* Stomach ache, vomiting or diarrhea.
* Feeling very anxious and afraid.
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention. In such a case, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest hospital.
When should I see a doctor?
It's a good idea to see a doctor if any of the following happens to you while using a topical anesthetic:
- If the illness you are using medicine for does not improve within seven days, or if it gets worse.
- If a skin infection occurs.
- If you swallow a little of the medicine.
It is wise to seek medical advice at a time like this.
Finally, remember
So, these topical anesthetics are a good thing that helps temporarily relieve pain and itching in our skin and mucous membranes. They can be useful for minor problems like insect bites and minor rashes. But like any other medicine, it is very important to read the instructions carefully before using this medicine and use it correctly. If you experience any side effects, or if your condition does not improve after taking the medicine, be sure to talk to a doctor. Because sometimes you may need medical treatment. Got it?
` Numbing medicine, topical anesthetics, skin pain, itching, side effects, medication use, first aid
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