Question 1

what is used for local anesthesia?

Accepted Answer

Local anesthetics: Lidocaine, bupivicaine, tetracaine, mepivicaine, ropivicaine, etc.

Question 2

how long does local anesthesia last?

Accepted Answer

It depends. : The duration of action of a local anesthetic is related to the choice of the specific medication and its uptake and metabolism. Some local anesthetics last longer than others. The location of the administration and whether or not a vasoconstrictor was added to slow uptake also have impact. A discussion with your doctor about expectations is appropriate.

Question 3

how is local anesthesia administered?

Accepted Answer

Injection: Local anesthetic is typically injected by needle into the tissue immediately below the skin in the area that one wants to numb.  This can usually be performed with minimal pain for procedures that are performed at the level of the skin or just below.  Muscle cannot be numbed by local anesthetic, limiting it's application for most operations.

Question 4

how much does the local anesthesia injection hurt?

Accepted Answer

Usually not much: If an appropriately sized needle is used, local anesthesia injection is associated with minimal discomfort.  I tell my patients that it's like a quick bee sting.   Hope this helps.

Question 5

why doesn't local anesthesia spread to the whole body?

Accepted Answer

"Local" is why: "local" anesthesia does just that-a small dose of a numbing agent is injected near a nerve, that, when in a certain concentration, blocks impulses through that nerve.  The result is numbness and weakness in the distribution of that nerve.  This resolves as the local anesthetic is 'washed out" by blood and the localized concentration now will decrease-allowing the nerve to work again.

Question 6

how long does it take for local anesthesia to wear off?

Accepted Answer

Varies: Some will last about an hour, some for about 24 hours, and a newer type has the potential of lasting for up to 3 days.

Question 7

what can they give you if you have tolerance to local anesthesia?

Accepted Answer

More: Almost everyone will respond to medications in about the same way.  Some local anesthetic types are broken down more easily (and therefore work less effectively) by one person than another.  A good practitioner can almost always achieve good anesthesia by either changing the type, chemical mix or volume of the local anesthetic used without going into potentially toxic ranges

Question 8

how long can it take for local anesthesia injection  to wear off?

Accepted Answer

Depends: It depends on what your doctor used. Most local anesthetic medications last about an hour. Some can last up to 24 hours, and there is a newer one that may not yet be available everywhere that reports that it can last up to 3 days.

Question 9

expert opinions? what kind of local anesthesia is useful for topical administration only?

Accepted Answer

Topical only: Benzocaine.

Question 10

does alcohol reverse the effects of local anesthesia?

Accepted Answer

No: If you drink alot your liver my be used to a higher metabolic rate,  but in general no.

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Tumescent local anesthesia

A member asked:

What is used for local anesthesia?

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How long does local anesthesia last?

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How is local anesthesia administered?

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How much does the local anesthesia injection hurt?

A member asked:

Why doesn't local anesthesia spread to the whole body?

A member asked:

How long does it take for local anesthesia to wear off?

A member asked:

What can they give you if you have tolerance to local anesthesia?

A member asked:

How long can it take for local anesthesia injection to wear off?

A member asked:

Expert opinions? what kind of local anesthesia is useful for topical administration only?

A member asked:

Does alcohol reverse the effects of local anesthesia?

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