lidocaine for injections? | Community Forum

valleyy8.93RPOriginal post

1mo ago

The title sums it up. I'm curious if anyone has successfully sourced local anesthetics? Over the years, I've encountered situations where I felt confident I could handle minor procedures myself (NOTHING SERIOUS, nothing invasive or life-threatening). I have a small tattoo I'd like to get rid of. I've seen tattoo removal devices available on auction sites. I purchased one previously, and while it works well when used correctly, it can be incredibly painful. A couple of years back, I had an abscess on my leg that I had removed for $300, which was nearly an inch in size. With some anesthetic, I could have easily taken care of it myself at home. I observed the removal process; it wasn’t technical or precise. They just injected me with lidocaine or something similar, lanced it, and then dug around to clean it out. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

19 replies · page 1 of 2

garageed4113.59RP

1mo ago

You’re heading down a risky path. As a practitioner, I strongly advise against it. Even if you did find lidocaine, you might not know about complications, maximum doses, or proper procedures. What if you mistakenly get xylocaine instead of lidocaine? Injecting 5cc of lidocaine with epinephrine into your finger could cause necrosis because you didn’t realize that epinephrine constricts blood vessels in capillaries. You could turn a simple procedure into a $20,000 finger amputation. I could list more examples, but my point is clear.

fixerloud11.42RP

1mo ago

Lidocaine is what they inject into my jaw for fillings—I wouldn’t want to be messing around with that stuff.

valleyy8.93RP

1mo ago

I mean, I buy steroids online and have used them for years, from trusted sources. If there were a reliable seller of plain lidocaine without epinephrine, I would be interested. I appreciate your advice, though. It seems there are minor things people could handle themselves if only they had access to local anesthetic and proper education. It's interesting you mention fingers; I once had local anesthetic injected around my finger's base to remove a large splinter beneath my nail. They were going crazy with the injections. I don’t mean to sound rude, but some of my experiences with it seem quite basic. The anesthetic part seems complex and calculated, while the actual procedures just involve cutting and stitching. Maybe that's why anesthesiology is a separate specialty.

valleyy8.93RP

1mo ago

Trying to perform a dental procedure on yourself is going to be way more complicated than, say, injecting your foot to remove a bad splinter that’s gone too deep, right?

fixerloud11.42RP

1mo ago

If you want to start injecting yourself with local anesthetic, no one can stop you, but personally, I wouldn’t do it.

valleyy8.93RP

1mo ago

That’s fair. I’m asking about where to obtain it, not whether I should use it.

garageed4113.59RP

1mo ago

You just demonstrated my point. You weren't aware that you can't use lidocaine with epinephrine in a finger. What if you managed to get it? It seems straightforward, but what are you looking for when you lance that abscess? Is it cystic? It seems simple until you make a mistake.

fixerloud11.42RP

1mo ago

Is that genuinely how much it costs for a finger amputation?

quietwinter5.06RP

1mo ago

You live in a place where you need topical solutions for a little pinch from a 23-gauge needle? Go see a doctor. Heed the advice from someone who works in the medical field. Don’t become another ‘bodybuilder gone wrong’ meme!

winter_loud9.57RP

1mo ago

If you accidentally nick a nerve or blood vessel while cutting something off, I just see too many potential problems. You shouldn't need lidocaine for injecting steroids, though.

slyfox9921.26RP

1mo ago

Haha....you’re a funny one. Use iron; it’s much easier!

sandraw014.68RP

1mo ago

Man, both my parents are in the medical field, and while minor procedures can be manageable at home, there are valid reasons for autoclaves, controlled environments, and various sanitization practices. A home (especially with pets) will never be completely sterile. There are too many risks involved. I wouldn’t want to be stuck at home, far from a medical professional, if I accidentally cut a nerve or ruptured a blood vessel. Just be smart about it. Minor procedures with topical treatments are relatively safe, but I would NEVER attempt to drain an abscess at home. Maybe a cyst, but there’s too much cutting and tissue handling for that at home. It concerns me that this is becoming so common that you'd prefer self-surgery over seeing a doctor. Insurance is quite affordable these days.

slyfox9921.26RP

1mo ago

I have a small tattoo I want to remove instead of just going for basic laser treatment.

riderrusty47509.48RP

1mo ago

I’m currently undergoing laser removal. I have another session next week to remove more. Soon, I can finally take a photo of my right bicep!

sandraw014.68RP

1mo ago

Ah, my bad for not reading thoroughly. I was a bit busy—still not a procedure I would ever attempt at home.

echowinter13.24RP

1mo ago

That’s Novocaine, dude! Regardless, this guy seems a bit crazy!!! Lol

slyfox9921.26RP

1mo ago

I agree. Some guys are really joking around here. Lol

slyfox9921.26RP

1mo ago

I heard it can be pretty painful.

riderrusty47509.48RP

1mo ago

It hurts less than getting the tattoo did.