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.
There are three main types of local anaesthetic:
Yes, anaesthetic is a drug. It is used to induce a temporary loss of sensation in the area it targets.
Anaesthetic can stay in your system for up to 24 hours.
A local anaesthetic can stay in your body up to 18 hours after being administered. Some local anaesthetics last longer than others. The exact drug used and how much is given will determine how long the effects of your local anaesthetic last.
Local anaesthetic creams may work for up to 90 minutes. A local anaesthetic injection can make you numb up to three hours. A spinal anaesthetic may last for around two hours. With an epidural, numbness can last for a few hours to a day, depending on how much medicine you had and when you last topped up. If you have a nerve block, the area may stay numb for several hours.
Whilst the anesthetised area is still numb you should protect it from injury. You will feel tingling as your feeling returns and then you might feel the pain of the operation. Before an operation, your anaesthetist will discuss with you your pain relief options afterwards.
The cost of an anaesthetic will depend on your exact type of anaesthetic and your Ramsay hospital of choice.
You will receive a formal quotation price for your required surgery and the associated anaesthetic costs, after a consultation with one of our expert surgeons. This formal quote will be valid for 60 days. You can rest-assured that it includes unlimited aftercare.
We have a number of finance options if you are paying for your surgery and anaesthesia yourself. These include:
Local anaesthetic numbs a small part of your body. It is used when the nerves can be easily reached by drops, sprays, ointments or injections. You remain conscious whilst being free from pain.
At Ramsay Health Care, our experienced and knowledgeable Consultant Anaesthetists will discuss your anaesthetic pain relief options with you before your treatment. They will listen to your preferences and make an anaesthetic plan based on your healthcare needs.
You can rest-assured that our All-inclusive Total Care packages are inclusive of your operating drugs.
All of our hospitals adhere to strict protocols to minimise the risk of infection, including Covid-19.
Dr Bret Andrew Claxton
Dr Bret Andrew Claxton is a Pain Management Consultant working in Yorkshire.
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Find out moreA local anaesthetic is a drug that is injected into the tissues to make them numb.
A general anaesthetic is a combination of drugs that causes deep sleep.
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