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Methemoglobinemia from perineal application of an anesthetic cream
M J Ferraro-Borgida1, S A Mulhern, M O DeMeo
1Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, USA.
Annals of Emergency Medicine
|June 1, 1996
Abstract:
A 34-year-old woman presented with cyanosis and a methemoglobin level of 23.2% after perineal application of a topical anesthetic cream containing 20% benzocaine. Many commonly used products contain high levels of benzocaine, and their use can lead to life-threatening methemoglobin levels. This case reinforces the need for stricter guidelines for product use and warning labels to alert consumers to this potential side effect of topical benzocaine-containing products sold over the counter.