Scott Frothingham is a copywriter, content developer, author, and publisher. He has written hundreds of articles for Healthline and has a talent for communicating complex issues in an easy to understand way. When he’s away from the computer keyboard, Scott — if not traveling internationally — can be found reading mystery novels and biographies or in the kitchen working on recipes for a new cookbook.\n"},"avatar":{"title":"","width":500,"height":500,"src":"https://post.healthline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/500x500_Scott_Frothingham.png","alt":"scott frothingham"}}],"medicalReviewers":[{"id":124,"name":{"display":"Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP","first":"Cynthia","last":"Cobb, DNP, APRN"},"userLogin":"cindycobbdnp","links":{"website":"http://www.allureenhancement.com","facebook":"","linkedin":"","twitter":"","instagram":"","tiktok":""},"link":"/reviewers/cynthia-cobb-dnp-aprn","type":{"value":"medical_reviewer","label":"Medical Advisor"},"nid":"122512","specialties":[],"guestTitle":"","bio":{"text":"
Dr. Cynthia Cobb is a nurse practitioner specializing in women’s health, aesthetics and cosmetics, and skin care. Dr. Cobb is a faculty member at Walden University and University of Louisiana, and she is also the founder and owner of the medical spa Allure Enhancement Center.\n
Education\n
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University of Southwestern Louisiana, BSN\n
University of St. Francis, MS\n
University of South Alabama, MSN\n
Chatham University, DNP\n\n
Certifications\n
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Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner\n\n
Professional Accomplishments\n
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Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners\n
Allergan Master Injector\n
Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners Entrepreneur of the Year – 2019\n\n
For local numbing and pain control, doctors typically use local anesthetics approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Many of these are also available in over-the-counter strength for home use:
There are number of natural products that can effectively numb your skin to relieve pain or to prepare for anticipated pain, including:
Ice. An ice pack or cold compress can numb the pain of minor injuries, sunburn, and other conditions. Ice can also numb your skin prior to a procedure such as an ear piercing.
Patting. Patting your skin sharply a few times can have a very short-lived numbing effect.
Aloe vera. The gel from aloe vera leaves can ease the pain of sunburn and other skin injuries.
Clove oil. This can be applied to your skin as a counterirritant for pain with early research suggesting that it can act on the skin similarly to benzocaine.
Plantain. A fresh poultice made with plantain — the weed, not the fruit — may fight inflammation while soothing the skin.
Chamomile. A 2010 study showed that chamomile essential oils effectively penetrate below your skin’s surface into the deeper layers as a topical anti-inflammatory agent.
Whether you’re numbing your skin to alleviate pain or to prepare for pain, you have both natural and medical options. Before using any numbing agent, check with your doctor and discuss the safety concerns and the best options for your particular needs.
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