Numbing Cream are local anesthetics used to either anticipate pain in the future or to get relieved from the pain immediately. This cream blocks the sodium channels in the body and hence nerve signals sent by the brain cannot be received by the part over which you have applied the cream. So the pain in the particular area is not felt for a few hours. As the creams block the receptors in the skin, it is not found to cause any severe effect on the human body. It is prescribed by doctors too, hence can be used. The cream starts its action only after an hour of its application in a particular area and will be effective for about three to four hours.
Composition Of Numbing Cream
Lidocaine is an active constituent in most brands of numbing creams. Lidocaine is the monocarboxylic acid amide that is made from the condensation of N, N-dimethylglycine with 2,6-dimethylaniline. It is an anti-arrhythmia drug. Lidocaine is also accompanied by Prilocaine. This combination is very effective to numb the skin faster. Prilocaine is also an amide-based local anesthetic.
Other components in a skin-numbing cream are Benzocaine (Solarcaine, Lanacane, Dermoplast), Pramoxine (Proctofoam, Sarna Sensitive, Prax), Dibucaine (Rectacaine, Nupercainal), Tetracaine (Pontocaine, Ametop Gel, Viractin).
Wide-Ranging Application
These numbing creams are used for various purposes which include usage before surgery. These creams are used during surgery to make the person not feel the pain due to the surgery. Some surgeries involve cutting and tearing the skin off, which will cause severe pain even if the patient is given anesthesia. For this reason, numbing creams are used to make the patients free from pain. These can be used even after surgery so that the pain in the operated area is felt minimally by the patient.
They are used to minimize pain due to rashes or hair removal under the doctor’s advice. It is also used to get relief from itching caused due to an insect bite or due to some infection.
Lidocaine is also used in some medicines for the treatment of mouth ulcers, sourness caused due to dentures, and sore throats. These are also given to children during their teething. This prevents the pain in the enamel where the teeth are protruding out. But it should be used only after consulting with the doctor. This is because some children may develop allergic symptoms to numbing creams.
Numbing creams are helpful in reducing the pain and itching in the bum due to piles(hemorrhoids). They give immediate relief from when after application. Children below 12 years should not use this cream for treatment.
Lidocaine injection is given before the removal of genital warts. This gives the patient relief from pain and is also useful for the patient to cooperate in a surgery. They are used for cosmetic appointments like waxing and receiving a tattoo. This is the most widely used application on a day to day life by people. The cream numbs the skin so that people get their skin tattooed without any pain.