What is Benzocaine?

Benzocaine is a white, crystalline powder that causes a temporary numbing effect, which stops nerve motions in your body, easing discomfort or pain induced by skin irritations, painful or sore throat, and hemorrhoids on the surface of the body.

Generally, it numbs down the skin or inside the mouth, nose, throat, and many other parts and organs to reduce the discomfort of inserting a medical instrument. Orajel, Americaine, and Cetacaine are some of the brands that contain this anesthetic.

It is not recommended for long-term use and to treat teething discomfort in newborns or kids less than 2 years old.

During the process, doctors even use benzocaine sprays to numb the lining of the mouth or throat. Benzocaine products are not FDA-approved for these uses.

Side Effects of Benzocaine
Side effects of Benzocaine may appear within 2 hours after using benzocaine. Talk to your doctor for emergency medical help, if:

• Headache, and anxiety
• Speedy heartbeats
• Feeling light-headed
• Difficult breathing
• Swelling
• Severe burning
• Redness
• Pale appearances on the surface of your skin, lips, or fingernails

Precautions

• Use the smallest amount of this medication.
• Try not to get the product in your eyes.
• Avoid swallowing the gel or liquid.
• Do not apply benzocaine to open injuries, burns, broken or inflamed skin.
• Do not use benzocaine to treat certain skin diseases or serious issues, such as severe burns.
• Benzocaine can cause methemoglobinemia.
• Call your doctor for medical advice and the appropriate dosage because this is not a complete list of side effects, and other impacts may appear. Call your primary care physician for medical advice about side effects. The FDA urged manufacturing companies to add signs and warnings to their label about methemoglobinemia and other side effects.

Make sure that you keep this and all other such drugs out of the reach of kids, never share your prescriptions with others, and use this medicine only if prescribed by your doctor.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!