Anaesthetic Local

What is local anaesthetic?


The word anaesthesia means ‘loss of sensation’. A local anaesthetic is a medication that temporarily numbs a specific area of your body. Numbing usually occurs within minutes and may last for a few hours. A local anaesthetic stops the transmission of pain signals from your nerves in the affected part of your body.

Local anaesthetic can be used to treat a painful condition, prevent pain during a minor procedure or operation, or relieve pain after surgery.

Compared to a general anaesthetic, you will be awake after a local anaesthetic. You will feel no pain, but you may still sense pressure or movement. A local anaesthetic is generally safer, doesn’t need special preparation before use, and you recover from it faster.

Many people having a local anaesthetic do not want to be awake for surgery and choose to have sedation as well.

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