There are several reasons why it is worth temporarily numbing the skin. For example, when you want to reduce pain after an injury or to prepare for an invasive procedure in the doctor's office. Fortunately, there are many methods available to choose from, so that you can apply the correct technique for the situation you are facing.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Relieve the Pain
Step 1. Use an ice pack
When you cool the skin, you reduce the caliber of the blood vessels; as a result, blood flow to the affected area decreases and you can experience relief from swelling, irritation and muscle spasms. It is a perfect remedy for minor injuries and bruises.
- If you don't have an ice pack available in the freezer, you can use a bag with ice cubes or a pack of frozen vegetables.
- Always wrap the compress in a cloth and never place the ice directly on the skin; in this way you avoid chilblains.
- After 20 minutes, remove the ice pack and allow the skin to return to normal temperature. After ten minutes, if you feel the need, you can apply the compress again.
Step 2. Numb small areas with topical anesthetic creams
These are sometimes also available without a prescription and are able to provide relief from sunburn, minor burns, minor abrasions, stings and insect bites. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or need to use these products on children and the elderly, always ask your doctor for advice. You should also see a doctor if you are taking any medications, supplements, or herbal products that may interact with topical anesthetics. Remember to read the leaflet carefully.
- Typically, these products are available in pharmacies in the form of medicated sprays, ointments, creams, plasters, and bandages.
- The drugs may contain: benzocaine, benzocaine and menthol, cincocaine, lidocaine, pramoxine, procaine, procaine and menthol, tetracaine or tetracaine and menthol. If you have any doubts about the dosages or the frequency of application, ask your doctor for advice; will be able to tell you the correct dosage based on the disease you need to treat and your medical history.
- Check the expiration date and do not use drugs that have passed it.
- Stop using these medicines and see your doctor if you don't notice any improvement after a week, if the treated area becomes infected, has developed a rash, or feels a stinging or burning sensation. Symptoms of drug overdose include blurry vision, confusion, seizures, dizziness, headache, feeling too hot or too cold, numbness, tinnitus, irregular or slow heartbeat, sleepiness, and difficulty breathing. If you show this clinical picture, go to the emergency room immediately or call an ambulance.
Step 3. Take oral pain relievers
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are able to provide relief from arthritis, muscle and dental pain, fever, gout, back pain, headache and menstrual cramps. You can generally buy them at a pharmacy without a prescription. Many of them take effect within hours, but you shouldn't take them for more than a few days without first asking your doctor for advice. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking other medications, herbal remedies or supplements, call your doctor before taking any medications; also, you should never offer a child medication without the advice of the pediatrician.
- Among the most common anti-inflammatories we remember aspirin, ketoprofen (OKI), ibuprofen (Brufen, Moment) and sodium naproxen (Aleve). Never give aspirin to children or adolescents, as it has been associated with Reye's syndrome.
- Do not take these drugs without first consulting your doctor if you suffer from hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, allergies to the active ingredients, stomach ulcers, bleeding disorders, heart disease, asthma, alcoholism problems or if you are following a medication that could interact with anti-inflammatories (warfarin, lithium, heart, arthritis medicines or vitamins).
- Common side effects include gas, bloating, heartburn, stomach discomfort, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. If you show these or any other negative reactions, go to the doctor immediately.
Part 2 of 2: Preventing Future Pain
Step 1. Ask your doctor about ice spray
Ethyl chloride (chloroethane) can be sprayed on the skin just before a painful procedure. As it evaporates, the liquid leaves a cold sensation on the skin that will return to normal temperature within a few minutes. The "anesthetic" effect is effective only for the time it takes for the skin to become warm again.
- This technique is perfect on children, just before they undergo a medical procedure that involves the use of needles. Ethyl chloride is a valid alternative if the child is allergic to topical anesthetics.
- Do not use ice spray too often and do not exceed the amount recommended by your doctor, as this could cause cold injuries.
- Always read and follow the instructions on the package. Ask your pediatrician for advice before using it on a baby and consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Avoid direct contact of ethyl chloride with eyes, nose, mouth and open wounds.
Step 2. Ask your doctor about topical creams
If your doctor feels it is necessary to relieve pain during a procedure you are about to undergo, they may give you a topical anesthetic shortly beforehand. You will be asked to cover the drug with gauze to allow for complete skin absorption of the active ingredient. Do not smear these products on your nose, mouth, ears, genitals, eyes or open wounds. The two topical anesthetics that are normally used are:
- Tetracaine. This gel is spread on the skin at least 30-45 minutes before the procedure for which a little topical anesthesia is appropriate. You can take it off shortly before undergoing the operation and the area will remain numb for up to six hours. You may notice a slight redness of the treated skin.
- Lidocaine and prilocaine. You can apply these active ingredients an hour before undergoing the procedure and take them off just before the execution. Their effectiveness lasts up to two hours. As a side effect, you may notice skin whitening.
Step 3. Discuss other types of anesthesia with your doctor
If your doctor feels that local and topical anesthetics aren't enough, he may recommend that you numb larger areas of the body. This type of anesthesia is recommended when surgery is required under the surface of the skin, during childbirth and surgery. Here are the possibilities:
- Regional anesthesia. Thanks to this procedure you will not sleep, but a large area of the body (larger than that treatable by topical products) will lose sensitivity. The drug is injected locally. When performed on a woman who is due to give birth, anesthesia is epidural and numbs the lower half of the body.
- General anesthesia. This is done for surgery. The drug is injected into a vein or administered by inhalation in the form of a gas. Common side effects are nausea, vomiting, dry or sore throat, chills, and sleepiness.
