Local Anesthesia
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2024.
AMBULATORY CARE:
Local anesthesia
is medicine used to numb a small part of your body. It is used during minor surgery or procedures, such as a biopsy or dental care. You should not feel pain, but you may still feel pressure.
What will happen when local anesthesia is applied:
- Your healthcare provider will give you an injection or apply anesthesia medicine onto your skin.
- Local anesthesia is given directly over the area where you will have your procedure. You may feel burning for a few seconds after you get the local anesthesia. This is temporary.
- Your provider may also give you conscious sedation or deep sedation to help you sleep during your procedure.
What to expect after you have local anesthesia:
It may take several hours for feeling to come back to the area. You will need to be careful so you do not injure or burn the area.
Risks of local anesthesia:
You may have a severe reaction to the anesthesia. Even with local anesthesia, you may feel some pain. The medicine may go outside the area being numbed, or you may get too much medicine. These problems can cause serious injury.
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:
- You have trouble breathing.
- You have a seizure.
- You have chest pain.
- You have bleeding where the anesthesia was given.
Seek care immediately if:
- You develop hives or swelling.
Call your doctor if:
- You have a fever.
- You do not have feeling in the procedure area for longer than you were told to expect.
- You have questions or concerns about local anesthesia.
Treatment options
The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
Self-care:
Your healthcare provider may give you specific instructions based on the procedure you had. The following are general guidelines to keep you safe until the anesthesia wears off:
- Ask when you can start doing your usual activities. You may be able to start immediately after the procedure. This will depend on where the anesthesia was used, and how much was given.
- Be careful until you have full feeling again. Chew carefully if the anesthesia was applied to your mouth. Be careful with sharp or hot objects if anesthesia was applied to your skin. Walk carefully if it was applied to your foot or leg.
- Tell your provider if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to the anesthesia. An allergic reaction can happen right away or develop within a few days. Check for redness, hives, or swelling in or around the procedure area. An allergic reaction can also cause itching. More serious allergic reactions can cause trouble breathing.
Follow up with your doctor as directed:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
