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What Is Lidocaine Gel?

Sarah Parrish
Sarah Parrish

Lidocaine gel is an effective topical anesthetic often used in veterinary procedures and animal research. It is also commonly used as a medicine designed to relieve skin irritations, including minor burns and rashes. Applying the gel over broken skin is not advised, so while it might relieve pain before a needle puncture, it should be wiped off beforehand and shouldn't be used on abrasions.

While often used to relieve topical pain, this anesthetic gel is considered dangerous because pain is, among other things, a useful sensation. Numbed skin is more likely to be injured due to a loss of proprioception. If, for example, one's finger is numb, one will be less likely to remove it from a hot burner in time to prevent a serious burn because the pain from the initial burning won't be felt.

Lidocaine may be used when having a wart removed.
Lidocaine may be used when having a wart removed.

Appropriate uses for lidocaine gel include temporary relief from an insect bite or sting, or topical anesthetizing preparation for a mildly painful, brief procedure. It is also acceptable to use for relief from pain associated with bowel movements during hemorrhoids. Less common but still appropriate uses for topical anesthetic gels include minor skin-based surgical procedures like wart removal or preparing a breast for a mammogram.

Topical lidocaine can be used to treat premature ejaculation in men by reducing sensation in the penis.
Topical lidocaine can be used to treat premature ejaculation in men by reducing sensation in the penis.

Lidocaine gel, most commonly available in a 4-percent concentration for topical anesthetic use, can be life threatening if it is used in large quantities or repeatedly used for long periods of time. Heart rhythm and respiration problems arise from too much absorption of an anesthetic. Basic precautionary steps should be taken when using any anesthetic, whether the subject on which it will be used is human or animal.

Lidocaine gel may be used as a topical anesthetic while preparing for a mammogram.
Lidocaine gel may be used as a topical anesthetic while preparing for a mammogram.

One should never apply lidocaine to broken skin since this leads to the anesthetic ingredient being more readily taken up into the circulation system. By wrapping an area over which the gel was used, the gel is more likely to be absorbed faster and with greater efficacy, so people are discouraged from wrapping an area over the gel. Heat should not be applied to an area covered with lidocaine gel because this also increases the speed of lidocaine uptake.

Lidocaine gel can be helpful in relieving pain associated with hemorrhoids.
Lidocaine gel can be helpful in relieving pain associated with hemorrhoids.

Lidocaine should always be used in moderation. Large areas should not be anesthetized with it, nor should thick layers of gel be applied to a single area. If topical pain relief is needed for long periods of time, a physician should be consulted for a better long-term remedy. Lidocaine gel is meant to be used for the relief of acute topical pain or irritation over a relatively small area.

Discussion Comments

turquoise

Lidocaine gel is great!

I have chronic back pain and my doctor first prescribed lidocaine patches for me. They were working but it was a lot of trouble because they didn't stay on. Just a few hours after applying one, it would start rolling up and coming off of my skin. Of course, it loses effectiveness then.

I was complaining about this to my doctor and he said that there is also a gel version of lidocaine. He prescribed it for me and I'm so glad he did. The gel is much easier to use. It absorbs quickly and is effective for a long time.

If anyone is using the patches, I recommend switching to the gel.

SarahGen

@anamur-- Don't apply lidocaine on cuts, it burns a lot and irritates the cut. It's not a good idea!

Do you have the type that only contains lidocaine or does it have other ingredients too? Normally, they shouldn't say that it's safe for cuts but there are over-the-counter aloe vera gels that contain a small amount of lidocaine. Those might be safer than pure lidocaine.

I only use antibiotic cream on cuts and scrapes. I use lidocaine gel on injuries where skin isn't broken.

serenesurface

The article warns that lidocaine gel shouldn't be applied to broken skin but I have one that is labeled safe to use on cuts. How can they say that?!

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    • Lidocaine may be used when having a wart removed.
      By: Tiler84
      Lidocaine may be used when having a wart removed.
    • Topical lidocaine can be used to treat premature ejaculation in men by reducing sensation in the penis.
      By: Ambrose
      Topical lidocaine can be used to treat premature ejaculation in men by reducing sensation in the penis.
    • Lidocaine gel may be used as a topical anesthetic while preparing for a mammogram.
      By: Tyler Olson
      Lidocaine gel may be used as a topical anesthetic while preparing for a mammogram.
    • Lidocaine gel can be helpful in relieving pain associated with hemorrhoids.
      By: Andrea Danti
      Lidocaine gel can be helpful in relieving pain associated with hemorrhoids.
    • Lidocaine gel may be helpful in treating pain associated with minor burns.
      By: Superingo
      Lidocaine gel may be helpful in treating pain associated with minor burns.
    • Topical local anesthetics may be applied before some dermatological procedures, including laser resurfacing.
      By: spotmatikphoto
      Topical local anesthetics may be applied before some dermatological procedures, including laser resurfacing.
    • Lidocaine gel used on the face should be carefully applied to the affected area using a swab.
      By: Artyom Yefimov
      Lidocaine gel used on the face should be carefully applied to the affected area using a swab.