How does one manage the patient who refuses, or is truly allergic to, both the ester and the amide anesthetics? Normal saline (0.9%) may be an effective alternative to the ester and amide anesthetics for performing shave excisions and punch biopsies. “Anesthesia” is thought to result from the compression of nerve endings by the hydrostatic pressure of the injected saline. There may also be an added anesthetic effect from benzyl alcohol, a preservative in normal saline. Non-bacteriostatic saline should be used for patients sensitive to methylparaben. Diphenhydramine (10 to 25 mg/mL) is effective, but painful and sedating. It has a short duration of action and may induce tissue necrosis. Epinephrine, 1:200,000, can be added to prolong the anesthetic effect. |
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