I Had an Allergic Reaction After Injections. Dr. Says It's to Topical Numbing Cream? When Will Effects Subside?

While this isn't common, it does happen! I would have preferred if you said she gave you a shot of cortisone/kenalog and prescribed some steroids, as the shot begins to help within hours. The steroids will take a few days to get enough medication into your system to help it subside. In the meantime, you need to not use excessively hot water, apply good moisturizer, and even OTC hydrocortisone to help alleviate the redness. It will work but it will take a couple of days to settle down... more

The most important thing if an acute post treatment complication occurs is to see the injecting physician as soon as is reasonably possible. Although an allergic reaction to the anesthetic is possible, it is very rare. If that is the most likely problem, a patch test to the material will verify it. Of greater concern, although also quite rare, are infection or an accidentally compromised blood vessles due to the injections, and these require immediate treatment. more