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Local anesthetic

H

Hazza

Well-Known Member
Messages
169
Location
Huddersfield
Do any of you know of a local anesthetic (preferably spray) that can be used prior to changing a cannula? We have been using emla cream but it needs to be on for at least an hour before it takes effect. We would not object to buying it over the counter if something was available.
My daughter finds the cannula change painfull so anything that would numb the skin for a while would help.
Thanks

Harry
 
One of the members here who is a pumper uses a bag of frozen peas, suitably covered. Cheap and permanently available......unless you are like Charlie Chaplin and love peas......... :D
 
:D Yes we used peas when she was on MDI, but the problem is that we are going to Goa in February for 2 weeks and a spray or similar would be much easier to use.
:wink:

Harry
 
Goa.........you lucky people 8)

Might be worth having a chat with your local Pharmacist, there may be something on prescription or OTC. If I find anything I will let you know, I was going to suggest Emla Cream but you have used that.
 
Thanks, yes Goa. This will be Lily's 4th time there and she's only 7,... well she will be 8 when we go, as her birthday is 25th Jan. We still have to fork out for the bowling party yet. The holiday money is taking a heck of a bashing. :lol:

Harry
 
Hi Harry.
The only thing I could find in the BNF60 was this other cream it appears to be a stronger lidocaine content.

LMX 4® (Ferndale)
Cream lidocaine 4 %, net price 5-g tube = £2.98; 5 × 5-g tube with 10 occlusive dressings = £16.90
Excipients include benzyl alcohol and propylene glycol

Dose adult and child over 1 month, anaesthesia before venous cannulation or venepuncture, apply thick layer (1–2.5 g; child under 1 year max. 1 g) to small area (2.5 cm × 2.5 cm) of non–irritated skin at least 30 minutes before procedure (max. 60 minutes); remove cream with gauze and perform procedure after approximately 5 minutes
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the info, looks very good. The cream seems fairly cheap but the dressings to cover it are very expensive. (depending on what size you buy).
I was thinking along the lines of a spray similar to what they use on footballers when they have had a knock, if you see what I mean.

Harry
 
Nothing like that on prescription as far as we can see, I was looking for that.

Has to be a chat with the Pharmacist then.....see what they can come up with OTC. Let us know if you find anything. Other members may be interested too.
 
I'm dreadful when it comes to needles (helpful!) and I have used Emla cream as you have done. However, I've found that cling film works just as well as the expensive Tegaderm patches.
 
I will call at the chemists tomorrow and ask their advice, and will certainly let you know what they say.
The clingfilm idea sounds good but how do you stop it from falling off? I can only think to use plasters (or sellotape :) )

Harry
 
Harry - I use quite a large piece so that it stretches from mid upper arm to mid lower arm and then wrap it around my arm several times. It sticks to itself and as long as you don't move your arm around too vigorously the cream won't ooze out everywhere! Tracy
 
Just realised - you probably don't need to numb an arm if it is for cannula insertion. Try surgical tape would be my suggestion. Tracy
 
Well, I asked in 2 chemists and they both recommended Emla cream as they didn't know ofany spray on the market that would be suitable.
Lookslike either Emla cream or a bag of frozen peas then.
Thanks for the sugestions though. If anyone comes up with an alternative let me know :o

Harry
 
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