A topical anesthetic is a local anesthetic that is used to numb the surface of a body part. They can be used to numb the front of the eye, the inside of the nose, the throat, the skin, the ear, the anus, and the genital area Topical anesthetics are available in creams, ointments, aerosols, sprays, lotions, and jellies [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202042.html. Examples include benzocaine, butamben, dibucaine, lidocaine, oxybuprocaine, pramoxine, proparacaine (Alcaine), proxymetacaine, and tetracaine.

Usage

Topical anesthetics are used to relieve pain and itching caused by conditions such as sunburn or other minor burns, insect bites or stings, poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, and minor cuts and scratches ^*.