After the deaths of two women in their twenties, The Food and Drug Administration and US health officials are warning consumers against the use of large amounts of skin numbing lotions and creams. These creams are most often used in conjunction with cosmetic surgery and cosmetic procedures.

How Do They Work?

Skin numbing creams aid in reducing the pain, itching and burning involved before, during and after procedures such as laser hair removal because they are anesthetics that numb the skin deep below the surface. These topical anesthetics are boosted when patients are instructed to wrap their legs in plastic wrap to increase the cream’s numbing effect. Numbing creams and lotions come in varying strengths and are available both over the counter and by prescription. They contain numbing drugs including lidocaine, tetracaine, benzocaine and prilocaine. While patient’s are instructed to follow their doctor’s and pharmacist’s instructions when using these lotions and creams, prolonged use after painful procedures or use before, during and after may prove to be lethal.

What Happens When Too Much Is Applied

Patients who use large amounts of the numbing creams may actually be sending fatal doses of the chemicals used to aid their healing process into their bloodstream, especially when plastic wrap is used and the skin is unable to breathe. This has resulted in the risk of irregular heartbeats, seizures and even death. Both women who died after using these topical anesthetics, “has seizures, fell into commas and subsequently died from the toxic effects of the anesthetic drugs,” the FDA said.

How To Stay Safe

The FDA also said that patients should use extreme caution when using numbing creams without the direct consent and instruction of their doctor and should only use these creams and lotions under continued medical supervision.

Leaving the creams on too long, using large amounts or applying the lotions to large areas of the body can increase these risks. Small children and anyone with heart conditions or sever liver disease may also be at an increased risk when choosing to apply these creams.

If you are considering cosmetic or medical procedures that prescribe skin numbing creams to help you during recovery, you should research the creams and find one that is FDA approved and that contains the lowest amounts of anesthetic possible. An even better, and safer, approach is to discuss with your doctor alternative ways to reduce pain during and after you procedure.

The FDA has also reported warning five pharmacies that mixed their own version of such creams.

Your best protection is to be informed. Knowledge about the expected level of pain associated with the procedure you maybe considering and the possible risks of any after-care medications will help you make an educated decision.

In a related story, German drug companies have warned consumers about the use of hemorrhoid creams as cosmetics. Although it has been touted as the best defense against puffy eyes, officials firmly state that these creams are drugs intended for a specific use and that use isn’t anywhere near the eyes.

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