(iVillage Total Health) - Adults and children who use skin numbing creams to dull the pain of injuries or cosmetic procedures were urged to be cautious when using the products.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning February 6 alerting consumers that the skin creams can cause life-threatening side effects, including irregular heartbeats, seizures and even death. The FDA urged people using these products to first consult with their physician and to ask about proper application.
Topical anesthetics are commonly used before and after medical and cosmetic procedures (tattoos and tattoo removal, dermabrasion, laser hair removal) to relieve pain . These gels, creams and ointments contain such anesthetic drugs as lidocaine, tetracaine, benzocaine and prilocaine. In addition to pain relief, the products help ease burning and itching caused by a variety of conditions.
The consumer alert came after the FDA reported the deaths of two women—ages 22 and 25—who used topical anesthetics following laser hair removal treatments. Both women followed the instructions of the persons performing the procedures and wrapped their legs with plastic wrap to increase the cream's numbing ability. Both women had seizures, went into comas and later died from the toxic effects of the medications in the creams.
Copyright 2009 NBC Health
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