Local anesthesia is a type of medicine that numbs a small area of the body and prevents pain during procedures by blocking nerves from transmitting pain signals to the brain. Unlike general anesthesia, local anesthesia does not cause a person to lose consciousness, and they remain awake during the procedure. Local anesthesia is usually a one-time injection of medicine that is used for procedures such as performing a skin biopsy or breast biopsy, repairing a broken bone, or stitching a deep cut. It can also be used to treat painful conditions, prevent pain during a procedure or operation, or relieve pain after surgery. Local anesthesia is generally safer than general anesthesia and does not require any special preparation before it is used.

Local anesthesia works by stopping the nerves in a part of the body from sending signals to the brain. The type and dose of anesthesia depend on many factors, including the persons age, weight, allergies, medical conditions, and the site and aim of the procedure. Local anesthesia can be given as injections, creams, gels, sprays, or ointments. The effects of local anesthesia are short-lived, so it is primarily used for minor outpatient procedures that do not require general or regional anesthesia.

Local anesthesia is generally safe, and side effects and complications are rare and usually minor. However, some people may experience soreness where the medication was injected, and in rare cases, they could have an allergic reaction to the anesthetic[[3]](https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-to-know-about-local...