Lidocaine cream also is available as an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that can be used to help with itchiness and pain from minor burns, scrapes, and insect bites. Creams and ointments that contain only lidocaine include:
Aspercreme with Lidocaine BenGay Lidosense 4 LMX 4 RectaSmoothe Solarcaine Xylocaine
This article explains how to use lidocaine cream, including specific situation for pregnant people, children, older people, and those with certain health issues. It details the side effects of using lidocaine cream.
How to Use Lidocaine Cream
Before using lidocaine cream or ointment, wash your hands with soap and water. For medical use, apply topically by squeezing the amount needed onto a sterile gauze pad and applying it to the affected area. Wash your hands again very well after applying.
Precautions to follow when using lidocaine cream include keeping lidocaine cream away from your mouth, nose, or eyes. Also be aware that side effects may occur, especially when using large amounts. Adverse side effects are directly related to the total dose of lidocaine that you apply.
Precautions
Lidocaine cream is generally safe to use but precautions are necessary in some people.
Children
Avoid using a dose larger than what your healthcare provider or the manufacturer recommends when applying lidocaine cream to large areas of injured skin. Do not let your child scratch or rub the skin while it is numb, and do not let the skin get very hot or very cold.
When using lidocaine cream, avoid heat sources such as electric blankets or heating pads. Also, don’t let your child take long, hot baths or sunbathe, because their temperature may rise and cause too much drug to be absorbed into their body.
Pregnancy
Lidocaine cream is considered generally safe for pregnant people to use. However, the drug does cross through the placenta and although the developing fetus is able to metabolize it, caution is warranted.
High doses, in particular, are to be avoided. A 2.5% lidocaine cream is considered safe but, as is the case when used in other people, it’s important to keep it out of the eyes.
It is not known whether lidocaine ointment is passed to an infant through breast milk, but because other drugs are found in nursing mothers’ milk, caution should be exercised when lidocaine is given to someone who is nursing.
Older Adults
Lidocaine cream comes in different strengths and it should be used in smaller doses for older adults, depending on their age and physical condition.
This precaution is needed because an individual person’s physical makeup, along with the concentration of lidocaine and formulation of the drug, all have significant effects on the amount of lidocaine that gets absorbed into the blood.
Lidocaine should also be used with caution in people with severe shock or heart block.
Side Effects of Lidocaine Cream
Lidocaine cream use can lead to side effects. Call your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following after applying a lidocaine cream:
Skin rash Itching or hives Swelling of the face, lips, or tongue Breathing problems Changes in vision Confusion, excitability, nervousness, restlessness Dizziness, drowsiness Chills or feeling hot Headache Irregular heartbeat Nausea, vomiting Seizure Tremor
The type of lidocaine used by dentists is not available over the counter. Do not swallow lidocaine cream or put lidocaine cream in your mouth. Lidocaine can cause numbness of the mouth and throat, which can lead to trouble swallowing and even choking.
If a substantial amount is swallowed, enough can be absorbed into the bloodstream to affect vital organs, primarily the brain and heart.
Combination Products
Some products contain lidocaine in addition to other medications, such as additional pain relievers or steroids. These products include:
BLT (benzocaine, lidocaine, and tetracaine) Denela Cream (lidocaine and prilocaine) EMLA (lidocaine and prilocaine) Evolution 10 (lidocaine and a local anesthetic) Icy Hot Lidocaine (menthol and lidocaine) LidaMantle (lidocaine and hydrocortisone)
Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before using a combination product, especially if you are pregnant or have other health considerations.
A Word From Verywell
Lidocaine cream can offer pain relief and a number of over-the-counter products are available. Be sure to read the labels when choosing a product so you know the medications in the cream as well as the concentration strength.
Heart problemsInfected, open, or damaged skinAn unusual or allergic reaction to lidocaine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
Also let them know if you are:
Pregnant or trying to get pregnantBreastfeeding
