How Do Topical Anesthetics Work?

Topical anesthetics are a type of local anesthesia applied to the skin surface or mucous membrane to numb the area temporarily.

Topical anesthetics cause a temporary loss of sensation, including pain, without depressing the consciousness. They act within the nerve fibers to inhibit the rapid inflow of sodium necessary for impulse generation. When there is no impulse generation, there is no transmission of pain around that area.

Topical anesthetics are mainly used to treat:

• Bee sting
• Minor burns
• Sunburn
• Insect bites
• Mouth and gum irritation
• Hemorrhoids
• Dental pain
• Boils
• Premature ejaculation

They are also used as a temporary numbing agent in:

• Dental procedure
• Skin procedure
• Minor surgery of genital mucous membranes

Topical anesthetics can cause the following side effects:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Headache
• Itching
• Dysgeusia (impaired sense of taste)
• Anemia
• Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears)
• Fever
• Dysuria (painful urination)
• Abdominal pain
• Irregular heartbeat
• Insomnia
• Back pain

The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

Generic and brand names of local anesthetics include:

• Allegra Anti-Itch Cooling Relief Cream
• Allegra Anti-Itch Intensive Relief Cream
• Ana-Lex
• AnaMantle
• AneCream
• AneCream5
• Aveeno Anti-Itch Cream
• Azo Itch Relief Maximum Strength Analgesic Cream
• Azo Itch Relief Maximum Strength Analgesic Wipes
• Bacitracin and lidocaine topical
• Benzocaine
• Benzocaine/Butamben/Tetracaine topical
• Caladryl Clear
• Camphor/Menthol topical
• Cetacaine
• CVS Bacitracin with Pain Relief
• Derma Numb
• Dibucaine topical ointment
• Diphenhydramine/Allantoin topical
• Dr. Numb
• Eczemin
• EjectDelay
• EMLA
• Epic
• Gold Bond Anti-Itch Lotion
• Gold Bond Rapid Relief
• H-Releve Hemorrhoidal
• Hawaiian Tropic Gel
• Icy Hot Arthritis Lotion
• Itch-X Gel
• Itch-X Spray
• Lidocaine rectal
• Lidocaine topical
• Lidocaine transdermal
• Lidocaine/Hydrocortisone
• Lidocaine/Prilocaine
• Lidocaine/Tetracaine
• Lidocare Patch
• Lidocoll
• Lidoderm
• LidoRx
• LidoStat
• LMX4
• LMX5
• Menthol topical/Pramoxine topical
• Neosporin LT Lip Treatment
• Nupercainal
• Oraqix
• Pliaglis
• PrameGel
• Pramoxine topical
• Pramoxine topical/Menthol topical/Dimethicone topical
• Pramoxine vaginal
• Pramoxine/Allantoin topical
• Pramoxine/Calamine topical
• Pramoxine/Menthol/Petrolatum topical
• Pramoxine/Mineral oil/Zinc oxide rectal
• Pramoxine/Zinc acetate topical
• Prax
• Premjact
• Proctofoam
• Promescent
• RectiCare
• Regenecare HA
• Sarna Sensitive Anti-Itch
• Sarna Ultra
• Solarcaine Aloe Extra Burn Relief
• Synera
• Tetcaine
• Tetracaine
• Tetracaine ophthalmic
• Topicaine
• Topicaine 5
• Tucks Hemorrhoidal Ointment
• Vagisil Maximum Strength
• Xolido
• Xylocaine Jelly
• Xylocaine Topical Solution
• Ztlido