Definition
Lidocaine belongs to the group of local anesthetics. They are used to block the transmission of excitation in the nerve. This suppresses the sensation of pain, thus creating a local anaesthetic.
The special thing about lidocaine is that it is also a drug used in the therapy of extra heartbeats. As a spray, lidocaine is often used on the skin to reduce pain. It is also known to be used in ear, nose and throat medicine and in dentistry.
Indications for the Lidocaine Spray
Lidocaine spray can be used for superficial anaesthesia on the skin. Indications for this are, for example, the cleaning of abrasions or in case of burns of limited size. In the field of ear, nose and throat medicine, the spray can be used for diseases of the auricle or the external auditory canal.
If an eardrum incision is necessary, local anesthesia can also be used for this indication using the Lidocaine spray. Other areas of application are in the area of the nose and the nasal passage. In addition, if a biopsy from the oral cavity or the throat is necessary, the Lidocaine spray can be used for local anaesthesia.
The Lidocaine Spray is also used in dentistry for a variety of indications. For example, when removing tartar, root remains, milk teeth or during minor surgical procedures, anesthesia can be achieved with the spray, making the procedure more comfortable for the patient. The fitting of dentures or other orthodontic work, as well as an increased nausea can be indications for the Lidocaine spray.
- Lidocaine Ointment
- Lidocaine when placing a gastric tube
For sore throat, an anaesthetic lidocaine spray can be used to relieve pain. This also applies to inflammations in the throat area that are not based on a cold. It is important that the spray is only used for a short time and is supportive.
According to the general practitioner’s guidelines, lozenges with lidocaine as an additive rather than a spray are recommended. It is strongly emphasized that these lozenges should only be used for short-term application. In addition, the benefit must be questioned due to the danger of allergic reactions, which applies to the spray.
When tattooing, lidocaine can be applied to the skin as a spray or as an ointment. This should make the painful process of tattooing more comfortable for the customer. It is not specified in the literature at what time the local anesthetic is applied.
Thus, a use before the process, as well as during the tattooing or afterwards is conceivable. In general it should be paid attention to the fact that when using a lidocaine spray or another carrier substance for the lidocaine, a sterility can be guaranteed to exclude infections. Also, in case of a known lidocaine allergy, a lidocaine spray should be avoided.
The effectiveness of Lidocaine spray for migraine has not yet been scientifically proven. Therefore it is not recommended so far, also for the reason that the spray does not reach the regions which are connected with the triggering of the pain. There are, however, experimental therapeutic approaches in which lidocaine is delivered through a small tube in the nasal cavity to the nerve node of the winged cervix, which is suspected to have a triggering relationship with migraine.
In attacks of cluster headache, lidocaine spray can be applied in the nasal cavity of the affected side. To achieve an even better effect, it is recommended that a lidocaine solution be introduced as deeply as possible into the nasal cavity with a nasal pipette. This therapeutic approach can help to improve the situation in patients who have a contraindication to triptans, which are the drugs of choice. The mechanism of action is assumed to be an anaesthetic of the nerve tracts in the winged cervical fossa.
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