What's the difference between topical aneshtetic creams like benzocaine, lidocaine, prilocaine, and xylocaine?

Similar: All of these are topical anesthetics, meaning that they can be applied directly to skin or mucous membranes to treat minor pain such as teething or scrapes, or itching from poison ivy or insect bites. Xylocaine is the same thing as lidocaine. All can be toxic if used in excessive doses. Special care must be taken if any of these are used for small children. Some types are by prescription only.