Numbing cream minimizes pain and discomfort caused by minor burns. However, Numbing cream for burns should be used carefully.
Whether you are handling a hot pan or spilling hot tea on your hand, you end up with a common household injury known as burns. They cause pain, sensation, swelling and redness. Burns are categorized according to their severity. A first-degree burn or minor burn is the least severe as it only affects the skin’s outer layer. It can be treated at a home with OTC topical or home remedies. Second degree burn penetrates the deeper layers of the skin and causes white/wet skin. Third degree burn covers all layers of the skin while fourth degree burn can affect joints and bones, thereby requiring emergency medical assistance.
As we have told you that first degree burns or mild burns (less than three inches in diameter) can be treated at home.
Can You Use Numbing Cream for Minor Burns?
With a burning skin, you experience pain and sensation which sometime takes time to go. Here you can use numbing cream to calm down these signs. In fact, most OTC creams for burns and cuts contain topical anesthetic at some extent.
Numbing cream is a topical anesthetic which dulls the nerve endings being responsible for carrying pain signals to the brain. In other words, the cream desensitizes your skin patch. This way, you don’t feel anything happening to the skin.
The cream only minimizes pain and burning sensation associated with burns. However, it shouldn’t be looked as a complete treatment for burns. Seek medical assistance for severe burns.
How to Use a Numbing Cream for Minor Burns?
Numbing cream is simple to use on minor burns. However, it shouldn’t be used on the severe burn cases like third or fourth degree burns requiring immediate medical assistance.
Go through the below given steps to use a numbing cream for minor burns
- Keep the burn under the running water for at least 5 minutes. Or you can apply a wet towel.
- Pat dry skin and use lidocaine cream to soothe the skin.
- Later, you can use antibiotic cream to heal the area.
What are the Precautions to Follow While Using a Numbing Cream?
- You must be careful while using a numbingcream. Excessive absorption may cause irritation, itching, racy heartbeats and seizures
- Don’t use thecream on broken skin as it can enter your bloodstream through cracks, thereby causing irritation, itching, racy heartbeats, and seizures.
- Don’t cover your skin with anything after applying lidocaine cream.
- Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, nursing mother or have any medical condition.
- Prefer water based lidocaine cream for your burns
- Follow the guidelines given on the pack
- Avoid numbing cream if you are allergic to lidocaine or topical anesthetic.
- Don’t use lidocaine cream on eyes, mouth or nose.
So this is all about numbing cream’s usage for minor burns. Remember, lidocaine cream can only minimize your pain and sensation; it can’t treat your burns.