Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesActive IngredientsOTC vs. PrescriptionHow to ApplySide EffectsSerious ReactionsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Active Ingredients
OTC vs. Prescription
How to Apply
Side Effects
Serious Reactions
Frequently Asked Questions
The creams are used for a wide variety of purposes, such as before minor medical procedures or cosmetic procedures. They can also be used to treat pain from minor injuries.
Some skin-numbing creams are available over-the-counter (OTC), while others require a prescription. In either case, it’s important to use the cream under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
This article explains the active ingredients in numbing creams, the differences between prescription and OTC numbing creams, and how to apply them. It also describes common side effects and when to call your healthcare provider.
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Numbing Cream Uses
Numbing cream is often used to numb the skin before a medical procedure such as:
Increasingly, skin-numbing creams are also used before cosmetic procedures such as:
Can you still feel pain with numbing cream?Skin numbing creams can reduce the pain, but may not eliminate it. And there may be pressure sensations if needles are used, such as injections and tattooing.
Can you still feel pain with numbing cream?
Skin numbing creams can reduce the pain, but may not eliminate it. And there may be pressure sensations if needles are used, such as injections and tattooing.
You may have heard of lidocaine, the active ingredient in most brands of skin-numbing creams. Lidocaine is very effective and has the benefit of providing quick results for pain relief.
Lidocaine can be found in skin-numbing creams like Dermoplast, LidoRx, and Lidoderm.
Other active ingredients in skin-numbing creams include:
OTC vs. Prescription Numbing Creams
Over-the-counterskin-numbing creamsmay differ from prescription variations in strength and concentration. For example, a prescription-strength lidocaine patch (like Lidoderm) contains 5% of the active ingredient while a nonprescription variety (like Aspercreme) contains 4% of lidocaine.
How to Use Skin-Numbing Cream
When you’re ready to apply the cream:
Be sure that you know:
Your dermatologist may apply numbing cream to your face before a procedure such as microneedling. After the cream takes effect, it is wiped off and the skin is cleansed to remove the remaining residue. This ensures that the cream won’t enter the skin during the procedure.
Storage
Store numbing cream at room temperature, away from heat and moisture. Always keep the tube tightly closed.
Keep numbing creams out of the reach of children and pets.
Poison ControlNumbing creams are for topical use only. If accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact the Poison Control Center hotline immediately at 1-800-222-1222.
Poison Control
Numbing creams are for topical use only. If accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact the Poison Control Center hotline immediately at 1-800-222-1222.
Common Side Effects
Side effects should be minimal to non-existent if you follow your healthcare provider’s advice on how to use a numbing cream. This said, it’s possible that you could experience:
To ease this, run the area under cool water (don’t apply ice), then gently dry the skin.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Call your healthcare provider immediately if you (or your child) experience:
Allergic reactions to numbing creams are similar to other allergic reactions. Call 911 if you (or your child) experience:
If too much absorbs through your skin, you can experience an overdose, the signs of which include:
Call 911 immediately if you experience any of these symptoms,
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. Pay close attention and report any unusual physical events or changes to your healthcare provider.
Summary
Lidocaine is the active ingredient in many skin-numbing creams, though there are others. Prescription preparations of lidocaine are available in a 5% concentration of the active ingredient, while over-the-counter products contain a lower concentration.
It’s fair to expect some minor side effects, such as changes in skin color, itching or a rash, or mild burning. Severe burning, irritation, or signs of an allergic reaction warrant medical attention.
Use the smallest amount of cream possible to numb your skin to avoid serious reactions.
Frequently Asked QuestionsLidocaine is considered safe when used as directed. Large amounts left on the skin for an extended period of time may enter the bloodstream and affect the heart, brain, and other organs. This may lead to seizures, coma, or cardiac arrest. Ingesting lidocaine can cause the same, as well as difficulty swallowing and choking.Low doses of lidocaine and other skin-numbing creams are sold over the counter. Stronger preparations of lidocaine require a prescription.Topical numbing creams, such as lidocaine and benzocaine, can last up to three hours. The topical anesthetic should be applied an hour before a shot or procedure.Yes, you can apply lidocaine or another skin-numbing agent to your skin before getting a tattoo. For best results, apply the cream to the area 60 minutes before your appointment.Benzocaine, the active ingredient of Orajel and many other products, can be used to numb skin, even though the product is intended for use in the mouth. It can also be used in the nose, rectum, or vagina.Only use the smallest effective amount to avoid dangerous side effects.
Lidocaine is considered safe when used as directed. Large amounts left on the skin for an extended period of time may enter the bloodstream and affect the heart, brain, and other organs. This may lead to seizures, coma, or cardiac arrest. Ingesting lidocaine can cause the same, as well as difficulty swallowing and choking.
Low doses of lidocaine and other skin-numbing creams are sold over the counter. Stronger preparations of lidocaine require a prescription.
Topical numbing creams, such as lidocaine and benzocaine, can last up to three hours. The topical anesthetic should be applied an hour before a shot or procedure.
Yes, you can apply lidocaine or another skin-numbing agent to your skin before getting a tattoo. For best results, apply the cream to the area 60 minutes before your appointment.
Benzocaine, the active ingredient of Orajel and many other products, can be used to numb skin, even though the product is intended for use in the mouth. It can also be used in the nose, rectum, or vagina.Only use the smallest effective amount to avoid dangerous side effects.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. National Library of Medicine.Numb skin-lidocaine cream.National Institutes of Health. National Library of Medicine. MedLine Plus.Lidocaine transdermal patch.National Capital Poison Center.Lidocaine can cause harmful effects.University of Michigan Health.Iidocaine and prilocaine topical.St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.Using lidocaine cream for less needle pain.University of Michigan Health.Iidocaine and prilocaine topical.University of Michigan Health System.How to apply lidocaine cream.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Safety information on benzocaine-containing products.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. National Library of Medicine.Numb skin-lidocaine cream.National Institutes of Health. National Library of Medicine. MedLine Plus.Lidocaine transdermal patch.National Capital Poison Center.Lidocaine can cause harmful effects.University of Michigan Health.Iidocaine and prilocaine topical.St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.Using lidocaine cream for less needle pain.University of Michigan Health.Iidocaine and prilocaine topical.University of Michigan Health System.How to apply lidocaine cream.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Safety information on benzocaine-containing products.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
U.S. National Library of Medicine.Numb skin-lidocaine cream.National Institutes of Health. National Library of Medicine. MedLine Plus.Lidocaine transdermal patch.National Capital Poison Center.Lidocaine can cause harmful effects.University of Michigan Health.Iidocaine and prilocaine topical.St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.Using lidocaine cream for less needle pain.University of Michigan Health.Iidocaine and prilocaine topical.University of Michigan Health System.How to apply lidocaine cream.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Safety information on benzocaine-containing products.
U.S. National Library of Medicine.Numb skin-lidocaine cream.
National Institutes of Health. National Library of Medicine. MedLine Plus.Lidocaine transdermal patch.
National Capital Poison Center.Lidocaine can cause harmful effects.
University of Michigan Health.Iidocaine and prilocaine topical.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.Using lidocaine cream for less needle pain.
University of Michigan Health System.How to apply lidocaine cream.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Safety information on benzocaine-containing products.
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