Local anesthesia is a method to deliver pain control medication to a specific area. It can be injected or rubbed into the skin to numb an area and its surrounding tissues.
Local anesthesia does not make the person sleepy or relieve other pains. However, it may be used along with other medications that have properties to relax or provide stronger pain relief.
Author:Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Medical Review:John M. Freedman, MD - Anesthesiology
Last Updated: 03/21/2006
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