When symptoms do occur, they can range from minor swelling to a life-threatening, whole-body reaction.
It is also possible for a person to experience an allergic reaction to preservatives added to local anesthetics.
Methylparaben is the most common preservative added to multi-use vials of local anesthetics.
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Allergy to methylparaben, while still uncommon, is far more common than true allergy to local anesthetics themselves.
True allergies to novocaine and other local anesthetics are rare.
Allergists have different ways of approaching a person with a history of an adverse reaction to local anesthetics.
Other allergists may skin test using the most common local anesthetic availablelidocaine with methylparaben.
The prevention of future reactions is another important aspect of treatment.
Alternatives to Novocaine
Novocaine is not used as often as it once was.
Xylocaine (lidocaine) is longer lasting and is preferred for most procedures.
Other common alternative local anesthetics include bupivacaine, mepivacaine, prilocaine, and etidocaine.
Skin testing for local anesthetics should be done under the direction of an allergist.
It is still possible that you could experience a reaction to a different local anesthetic, however.
Injectable Benadryl can be an effective substitute for a local anesthetic for skin numbing for certain procedures.
If there are no good alternatives, laughing gas (nitrous oxide) may be sufficient for simple procedures.
More complicated procedures may need to be performed under general anesthesia.
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