Numb the Skin

[cliff1961]

Does anyone know of a Cream, Spray or wipe that is safe & recommended to use in which to numb the skin prior to taking your weekly shots of peg Interferon?

[nygirl7]

Seriously I know you can't believe it now but in a few weeks it will be so commonplace to you it will be boring.  Really.  The needles don't feel like anything they are so teeny tiny.

Sunburn spray is good thinking I think it has lidocaine and I never thought of it.....but you really really won't need it.

Just make sure you follow the directions along until you are really used to it and you will be just fine.

[newleaf09]

The Redi-pens have such a tiny needle I don't think I ever really felt it.  Be sure the contents of the pen come to room temp because a cold injection does hurt going in.  Also don't forget that whatever you use for numbing, you'll still need to clean the skin with alcohol before injecting.  There are lots of sunburn sprays that numb.

[medicmommy]

Some people ice the area (personally I think the cold hurts worse than the teeny needle poke)...Others have been able to get a 2% lidocaine gel from their pharmacist (usually used for premature ejaculation issues) and apply that to the area, but most just do it cold turkey... Have you started your shots yet? If so, and you are worried about the needle, it is a very teeny and short little thing and, when you finally get brave enough to "just do it", you barely feel it. After you get past the fear from poking yourself, it's no big deal...Me? -the first couple weeks I had to stand against a wall so I couldn't flinch away from the poke! Pathetic, huh? (I have no issues with poking needles in OTHER people! LOL) If you want to practice on "technique" without risking wasting a shot, buy some tuberculin (insulin) syringes, fill them 1/2 way with water, work out the bubble, and hold a small orange on your abdomen (over where your shot sites will be) and inject it. This helps dispell some of the pre-shot jitters...Hope this helps! :) ~Melinda

[jdwithhcv]

Hi Cliff.  You can get a prescription ointment with lidocaine and that will numb your skin.  If you have not started tx yet you may be worrying more than is necessary.  The shots are not painful, they give you a teeny tiny needle that is very sharp and you inject into fat so there is almost no sensation.  I was worried about the injections but my fears about the injections were unfounded and I got through 48 weeks of tx (and 40 of them with an additional shot of Procrit) without any pain from the shots.  

Even in wild Wales you should have no trouble getting lidocaine ointment if you need it.  Best of luck!

jd