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Whether it is from hemorrhoids, a painful cut, or a burn, you want to numb that out when you are in pain. The same goes for waxing or other painful forms of hair removal. You also want to prevent pain from becoming too difficult to handle when you have piercings or tattoos. Therefore, there is a simple solution for all of that. You will use a topical numbing cream to calm the pain from hemorrhoids, the cut, or the burn. And as long as the doctor gives you the green light, you can use a numbing cream to put on before you get that tattoo or piercing, so the pain becomes more manageable during the process.
You may not know what topical numbing cream is and the side effects that you can experience if you use it. Let’s first talk more about topical numbing cream, and then let’s go into the possible side effects you can share using it.
What Are The Components Of Topical Numbing Cream?
The composition of topical numbing cream includes lidocaine and prilocaine or contains one or the other. In the majority of cases, topical numbing cream consists of both components. Lidocaine and prilocaine are local anesthetics that you apply to your skin topically to block your nerve signals, which is how you no longer feel pain.
Medical staff uses topical numbing cream for minor surgical or other medical procedures. And anyone can use it to help numb pain at home as well for the reasons discussed in the introduction. Those who do cosmetic procedures such as laser hair removal will use topical numbing cream since that process can be quite painful.
You can get topical numbing cream from the pharmacy at it is OTC. However, you must talk to your doctor before buying any. You need to know about the potential side effects of using topical numbing cream. In addition to that, if you have any underlying medical conditions, you want to see if it is safe in your case to use the cream.
What Are The Side Effects Of Numbing Cream?
In the majority of cases, if you do not have any significant underlying health conditions, allergies to it, and you don’t overuse topical numbing cream, you will not experience any significant side effects. The point of using this numbing cream is to numb out the pain experienced from conditions such as hemorrhoids or if you are doing any type of invasive cosmetic procedures. You only require a small amount of the cream.
You have to remember that your skin will absorb lidocaine and prilocaine in copious amounts, causing a dangerous situation. If you use too much topical numbing cream, you may end up with serious side effects from it. Overdoing the cream can potentially result in you having irregular heartbeats, slowed breathing, or your breathing can stop. Seizures or even a coma can even result. Therefore, do not use more numbing cream than recommended. A small amount of the cream is robust, and that alone will ease the pain.
If you use a small amount of numbing cream and are experiencing rashes, itching, and hives from it, you have an allergy or a sensitivity to discontinue its use. Remember to talk to your doctor before taking it because if you have underlying conditions.
Is Topical Numbing Cream Safe If You Have Underlying Medical Conditions?
Topical numbing cream may not be safe if you have certain medical conditions, which is why you must talk to your doctor before using it. If you have liver disease, lack the enzyme G6PD, or methemoglobinemia, your doctor might look into alternative ways for you to numb pain. The same goes for if or if you have a family history of methemoglobinemia. Lidocaine and prilocaine can harm if you have any medical conditions, even if you use the small and recommended amount. However, the good news is, there are alternative and safe methods for numbing external pain.
What Are Alternatives To Topical Numbing Cream?
There are other ways to numb pain if you are unable to use lidocaine and prilocaine. In many cases, applying ice to the area of pain can be enough to numb it. You do want to check with your practitioner when you are looking into alternative and safer ways for external pain relief. However, aloe vera gel can help you numb pain. The same goes for clove oil. All you need to do is apply clove oil to your skin, which will help numb the problem.
Other ways to numb out pain is by using chamomile oil. You will want to mix a few drops of chamomile oil with a carrier oil such as jojoba oil to apply to your skin. That will help calm the pain. You can also once again talk to your doctor about other safer alternatives for pain relief.
Conclusion
When you are doing laser hair removal, which can be quite painful or have hemorrhoids, burns, you want to use topical numbing cream. The same goes for if you plan on getting piercings and tattoos‘. Why should you be in pain if there is a solution for numbing it? No one should suffer from discomfort. However, before grabbing topical numbing cream, talk to your doctor.
As long as you are healthy, not allergic to it, and use a minimal amount, you will likely not experience any significant side effects. However, you do want to be careful, and you will need to know about the potential side effects of using topical numbing cream, especially if you have underlying conditions. Be safe and be armed with knowledge so you can use topical numbing cream safely.