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Case Reports
. 2009 Oct;2(10):37-40.

Diphenhydramine as an alternative local anesthetic agent

Peter G Pavlidakey, Erin E Brodell, Stephen E Helms
Case Reports

Diphenhydramine as an alternative local anesthetic agent

Peter G Pavlidakey et al. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2009 Oct.

Abstract

Patients who present with a history of "allergy" to local anesthetics are common in clinical practice. Injectable 1% diphenhydramine is a safe, inexpensive, and effective local anesthetic for simple dermatological procedures in patients who report "caine" allergies. Utilizing this agent permits the dermatologist to operate at the time of the initial visit and schedule a referral to the allergist for definitive sensitivity testing at the patient's convenience.

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