Unlike general anaesthetics , local anaesthetics don't cause you to lose consciousness. This means they're generally safer, don't normally require any special preparation before they're used, and you can recover from them more quickly.
You won't be able to feel any pain after having a local anaesthetic, although you may still feel some pressure or movement. It normally only takes a few minutes to lose feeling in the area where a local anaesthetic is given.
Local anaesthetics are usually given by dentists, surgeons, anaesthetists, GPs and other doctors. Some medications containing mild local anaesthetic are also available on prescription or over the counter from pharmacies. Depending on what they're being used for, local anaesthetics can be given as injections, creams, gels, sprays or ointments. Slightly painful conditions, such as mouth ulcers and sore throats , can sometimes be treated with over-the-counter gels and sprays that contain a local anaesthetic.
Injections of a local anaesthetic and steroid medication may be used to treat more severe conditions, such as long-term joint pain. A local anaesthetic, usually given by injection, may be used along with a sedative medication to keep you relaxed while an operation or procedure is carried out. A local anaesthetic may occasionally be used for more major surgery when it's important for you to be awake, such as during certain types of brain surgery, or to prevent pain after a major operation that's been carried out under a general anaesthetic.
An epidural anaesthetic , often referred to as an epidural, is where a local anaesthetic is continually injected through a tube into an area of the lower back called the epidural space.
Both types of anaesthetic can be used to numb large areas of the body by stopping pain signals travelling along the nerves in the spine. They're often used during childbirth to ease the pain of labour or if a caesarean section is needed. Local anesthetics can also be given as an injection. Injectable anesthetics are typically used for numbing during procedures, rather than pain management. The lists above are general examples.
Several of these procedures, such as cataract surgery, can be done with either type of anesthetic. Your doctor will determine the best type for you based on several factors, including:. Just make sure to tell your doctor if you:. This usually only takes a few minutes. Tell your doctor right away if you start to feel any pain during the procedure.
They may need to give you a higher dose. Local anesthesia usually wears off within an hour, but you may feel some lingering numbness for a few hours. As it wears off, you might feel a tingling sensation or notice some twitching. Try to be mindful of the affected area while the anesthesia wears off. For OTC local anesthetics like Orajel, be aware that it may sting or burn a little when you first apply it. It can be toxic if too much is absorbed in your skin. A study estimates that only about 1 percent of people are allergic to local anesthetics.
In addition, most allergic reactions to local anesthetics are due to a preservative in the anesthetic, rather than the drug itself. Local anesthesia is a relatively safe way to numb a small area before a procedure. It can also help manage pain on your skin or in your mouth. While it can occasionally cause side effects, this usually only happens in cases that involve doses above the recommended amount. Some surgeries and procedures may be more painful than others.
Numbing medications are sometimes given in several small injections. A few minutes after the injections have been given, the area should be completely numb. If the area still has sensation, additional injections may be given to ensure it is completely numb. While the goal is to prevent pain, the injection itself can often be quite painful.
That said, pain from the injection will be brief, and the shot will prevent you from feeling pain throughout the rest of the procedure. Local anesthesia is most commonly associated with minor procedures that may be painful but are not serious. Some examples of when local anesthesia is appropriate:. Unlike general anesthesia, local anesthesia prevents pain while allowing you to be fully conscious and in control of your muscles.
This makes it useful for minor procedures like skin biopsies, as well as instances like childbirth, in which local anesthesia reduces pain without causing immobilization. Drugs used as local anesthetics suppress pain receptors known as nociceptors , blocking them from sending pain impulses to your brain. Some of the most frequently used local anesthetic drugs are:. Notice how each these ends in -caine. Local anesthetic drugs are related in structure to cocaine , which was used as an anesthetic between and But today's anesthetics differ from cocaine in that they are not addictive or habit-forming, and they don't raise blood pressure.
Which drug you may be given and at what dosage depends on whether you have any allergies, whether you or your family members have had previous reactions to anesthesia, other medications you are taking, and the length of the procedure, as well as your age, height, and weight. How long the effects of the local anesthetic last depends on which drug was used and how much of the drug was given. Some drugs may take more time to kick in, but their effects last longer.
For example, the effects of lidocaine begin within two to five minutes after it is injected and last up to two hours. Another local anesthetic drug called bupivacaine takes five to 10 minutes to kick in, but its effects can last up to eight hours. A synthetic form of the hormone epinephrine is sometimes combined with an anesthetic drug to prolong its effects.
Combining lidocaine with epinephrine, for example, extends the effects of lidocaine from two to six hours. Doctors typically begin by giving you the lowest dose of the drug necessary. If you are having a longer procedure, they may repeat the dose after a certain amount of time has passed to prolong the anesthesia. Generally speaking, the effects of most local anesthetics begin to gradually wear off within a few hours after the procedure is complete.
For smaller procedures that involve local anesthesia, like mole removals or suturing a small wound, you will be able to go home as soon as the procedure is finished.
There are some cases when you will need to stay longer to have your status and vital signs monitored, for example, when a doctor applies local anesthetic inside your throat to examine your throat and vocal cords laryngoscopy.
Afterward, you will need to be monitored by an until your gag reflex returns to ensure it is safe for you to eat or drink. Anesthetic drugs stop pain receptors from sending pain signals to the brain. Doctors start with the lowest dose necessary and may give additional doses as needed. The effects kick in within minutes and can last anywhere from two to eight hours, depending on which drug is used. Local anesthesia allows patients to feel a sense of being in control during their procedure.
It takes much less time to recover from local anesthesia than it does with general anesthesia, and most procedures that use local anesthesia are relatively quick. Nonetheless, you still need to take a few basic precautions before your procedure to prepare for the anesthesia. Your doctor should give you specific advice, which may include:. Doctors are very careful not to begin procedures until the anesthesia has kicked in.
Your doctor should make it clear which drugs they are giving you, how long they will last, and anything else you should expect. They should also communicate with you throughout the procedure to make sure you are comfortable. If you have any questions about your procedure or how you should prepare, don't hesitate to clarify them with your doctor.
The risk of side effects is significantly lower with local anesthesia compared to general anesthesia. Despite how safe local anesthetics usually are, it's possible for an individual to be unusually sensitive to a drug and develop severe side effects. For this reason, there must always be emergency medical care available when local anesthetics are used. Serious but uncommon side effects that may occur during use include:. Other serious but uncommon side effects that can arise in the days to weeks following a procedure involving local anesthesia include:.
The most common side effects following local anesthesia are soreness and bruising at the injection site. These side effects are also temporary and nothing to be concerned about. However, let your doctor know if a bruise expands or does not get better within a week or two.
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