How to Numb Your Skin

There are many reasons why one might want to temporarily numb their skin. For example, it could be to ease pain from an injury or to prepare for an injection at the clinic. Fortunately, there are various methods you can try to determine which one works best for your situation.

Use an ice pack. When you apply ice, the cold causes blood vessels to constrict, reducing blood flow and potentially relieving swelling, pain, and muscle spasms. This method is quite effective for easing pain from bruises and minor injuries.

• If you don’t have an ice pack on hand, you can use a bag of ice cubes or frozen vegetables.
• Always wrap ice cubes in a cloth before applying to your skin to prevent cold burns.
• After 20 minutes, remove the ice pack and wait for your skin to warm up. You can reapply it after 10 minutes if necessary.

Use a numbing cream on small areas of skin. These creams, which can be purchased at pharmacies, are effective in soothing sunburned skin, small burns, insect bites, stings, and minor scratches. Always consult your doctor if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, intend to use it on children or the elderly, or are on any medications, herbs, or substances that could interact with the topical treatment. Be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging.

• These products are available at local pharmacies in forms like sprays, ointments, creams, patches, and bandages.
• Common active ingredients include: benzocaine, benzocaine with menthol, butamben, dibucaine, lidocaine, pramoxine, pramoxine with menthol, tetracaine, or tetracaine with menthol. If you're unsure about the dosage or frequency, consult your doctor. They will offer advice based on your specific condition and medical history.
• Check the expiration date. Avoid using expired products.
• If there’s no improvement after a week, or if the wound becomes infected, shows a rash, or starts to feel hot or painful, stop using the product and consult your doctor. Symptoms of overdose include blurred vision, confusion, seizures, dizziness, overheating, chills, numbness, headaches, sweating, tinnitus, irregular heart rate, breathing difficulty, or lethargy. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention or call emergency services immediately.

Take pain relievers. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help alleviate pain from conditions like arthritis, muscle aches, toothaches, fever, gout, back pain, headaches, and menstrual cramps. These medications are widely available at local pharmacies and many of them provide relief within hours. However, they should not be used for extended periods without consulting a healthcare provider. Always check with your doctor before using these drugs if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, intend to use them for children, or are taking any other medications, herbal remedies, or supplements.

• Common NSAIDs include: Aspirin (Anacin, Bayer, Excedrin), ketoprofen (Orudis KT), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin), and naproxen sodium (Aleve). Never give aspirin to children or teenagers as it can lead to Reye's syndrome.
• Do not use these drugs without consulting your doctor if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney issues, liver disease, allergies to these medications, blood clotting disorders, asthma, or are on medications that may interact with pain relievers such as warfarin, lithium, heart medication, anti-inflammatory drugs, or vitamins.
• Common side effects may include numbness, swelling, heartburn, stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. If you experience any of these symptoms or any other side effects, see your doctor immediately.

Ask your doctor about cold sprays. Ethyl chloride (Cryogesic) can be sprayed directly on the skin right before the pain starts. The liquid evaporates and provides a cooling sensation. Your skin will warm up within a few minutes. The spray only provides pain relief until your skin returns to its normal temperature.

• This method can be used right before a child receives an injection. It can be a useful alternative when the child is allergic to other numbing medications.
• Do not use cold spray too frequently or exceed the recommended dose from your doctor, as it can cause frostbite.
• Always read and follow the instructions on the packaging. Consult your doctor before using it on children or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Do not spray on the eyes, nose, mouth, or open wounds.

Discuss numbing creams with your doctor. If your doctor recommends using pain relief for a medical procedure, you may be prescribed a numbing cream beforehand. The doctor may advise you to cover the application area after the cream has absorbed into your skin. Do not apply the cream to your eyes, mouth, ears, genitals, or broken skin. Two common numbing creams include:

• Tetracaine (Ametop Gel). This gel should be applied 30-45 minutes before the procedure. You can wash it off right before the procedure begins. The numbing effect lasts for up to 6 hours, but it may cause redness on your skin.
• Lidocaine and prilocaine (EMLA cream). Apply this cream about an hour before the procedure and wash it off just before the procedure starts. Its effects last up to two hours, and a potential side effect is that it may cause your skin to appear pale.

Consult with your doctor about other types of anesthesia. If your doctor believes that topical anesthesia might not be sufficient, they may recommend a more extensive form of anesthesia for your procedure. This method is often used in subcutaneous procedures, childbirth, or surgery. It can include:

• Local anesthesia. Local anesthesia will not make you unconscious, but it will numb a larger area of skin compared to the usual topical numbing. This can be administered through an injection. For example, during childbirth, an epidural is used to numb the lower half of the body of the mother.
• General anesthesia. This is used for many types of surgical procedures. You may be given this through an injection into a vein or by inhaling anesthetic gases. Side effects may include nausea, vomiting, a dry throat, chills, and fatigue.