Topical Anaesthetic Apr 2026
: An interesting patient-facing post from Zensa Skincare explores why some people don't get numb, citing factors like skin thickness, a strong skin barrier, or insufficient activation time. Interestingly, UCI Health notes that redheads typically require about 20% more anesthesia to be effective. Common Topical Formulations
: In the dental world, practitioners use topical gels to achieve "patient-friendly dentistry". Experts at Glidewell highlight creative uses, such as selectively anesthetizing individual lower molars instead of performing a full nerve block, which avoids the 15-20% failure rate often seen with traditional blocks. topical anaesthetic
: For children, Don't Forget the Bubbles discusses how topical creams like amethocaine (Ametop) may have a faster onset than EMLA. They also mention non-pharmacological aids like Buzzy , a device using cold and vibration to distract from needle pain. : An interesting patient-facing post from Zensa Skincare
Do redheads feel more pain? | UCI Health | Orange County, CA Experts at Glidewell highlight creative uses, such as
: Medical blogs like Laceration Repair emphasize that topical anesthetics should almost always be the first step in wound management. Applying agents like LET (Lidocaine, Epinephrine, Tetracaine) before a needle stick can save a patient from a painful injection or, at the very least, make the subsequent injection hurt less.
Topical anesthetics are widely used across medical fields to reduce procedural pain, and several expert blogs offer unique perspectives on their application, from emergency medicine to dentistry.