Definition
An ointment generally serves to prevent crust formation. It forms a protective film and inhibits the release of heat and moisture from the skin. Lidocaine belongs to the local anesthetics of the amide type.
In addition, it is a drug against cardiac arrhythmia. It works by inhibiting sodium channels in the nerves and prevents the transmission of stimuli. In this way, lidocaine leads to a reduction in pain sensation.
Indications
Local anesthetics such as lidocaine are widely used in medicine. In cardiology, they serve as an antiarrhythmic agent for cardiac arrhythmias. In anesthesia or surgery, the skin region in need of intervention is locally anesthetized.
In caesarean sections or anaesthesia procedures close to the spinal cord, a local anaesthetic saves a general anaesthetic and its systemic side effects. For example, small orthopedic procedures can be performed as part of regional anesthesia. Lidocaine ointment or gel is applied to slightly inflamed skin and mucous membrane or painful wounds.
This allows an almost painless waiting until a surgical intervention can be performed. Small surgical procedures such as pacemaker or port implantations are also performed under local anesthesia. This also allows wounds to heal painlessly. Even hemorrhoids that are not worthy of surgery can be treated symptomatically with lidocaine ointment to ease the painful defecation process. Other dosage forms of Lidocaine can be found here:
- Lidocaine patches
- Lidocaine Cream
- Lidocaine gel
Application for hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are extensions of the arteriovenous plexus. This means that the blood from the arteries flows into this network and supplies it. However, this blood can no longer drain in the veins.
As a result, this plexus becomes stagnant or bulged. Depending on the degree of this protrusion, hemorrhoids can be divided into four grades, with lidocaine ointments being used for grade one. This can ease the painful defecation process and prevent a vicious circle.
This is because patients in pain try to suppress bowel movement by tensing the anal sphincter. However, this makes the bowel movement harder. This in turn leads to more severe symptoms during the subsequent bowel movement and in the long term can lead to an enlargement of the hemorrhoids, which in turn necessitates surgery. Further information on the topic of hemorrhoids can be found here.
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