From the Guidelines
Lidocaine patches can be used on the hand to provide localized pain relief, with the 5% concentration being the most effective, as noted in a case series of 34 patients with erythromelalgia who showed improvement in pain management 1. When applying a lidocaine patch to the hand, it is essential to follow proper guidelines to ensure maximum efficacy and minimize potential side effects.
- Apply the 5% lidocaine patch directly to the painful area of the hand, ensuring the skin is intact and not irritated.
- Cut the patch if necessary to fit the hand's contour, but avoid overlapping pieces.
- Leave the patch on for up to 12 hours within a 24-hour period, then remove it for at least 12 hours to prevent skin irritation. Lidocaine works by temporarily blocking nerve signals in the skin, reducing pain sensation without causing numbness in deeper tissues, as it blocks sodium ion channels required for the initiation and conduction of neuronal impulses 1. This makes it particularly useful for conditions like arthritis, nerve pain, or soft tissue injuries of the hand. If pain persists beyond 2-3 weeks of use, consult a healthcare provider, as the effectiveness of lidocaine patches may vary depending on the severity and duration of the disease, with patients having more severe and longer-lasting conditions tend to respond less well to the treatment 1. Side effects are typically minimal but may include mild skin redness or irritation at the application site. It is crucial to wash and dry the area completely before application and avoid touching the adhesive gel to prevent any potential skin reactions. Overall, lidocaine patches offer a practical and effective solution for localized pain relief in the hand, with the 5% concentration being the most recommended, due to its gradual release of lidocaine over hours, making it more effective than cream or ointment forms 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Directions Adults and children 2 years and older: apply externally to the affected area up to 3-4 times daily. Children under 2 years of age: consult a physician. The effects of applying a lidocaine patch to the hand are not directly stated in the provided drug label.
- The label provides general application instructions, but does not specify effects on the hand. 2
From the Research
Effects of Lidocaine Patch on the Hand
- The effects of applying a lidocaine patch to the hand are not directly addressed in the provided studies, as they primarily focus on the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia, posttraumatic peripheral neuropathy, and acute herpes zoster [ 3, 4,5,6,7 ].
- However, the studies suggest that lidocaine patches can be effective in relieving pain and tactile allodynia in various conditions, with minimal risk of systemic adverse effects or drug-drug interactions [ 3, 4,5 ].
- The use of lidocaine patches has been recommended as a first-line therapy for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia [ 3 ], and has been found to be effective in relieving pain in other conditions such as lower back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and osteoarthritis joint pain 4.
- The patch formulation allows for targeted peripheral analgesia, with minimal systemic absorption of lidocaine [ 3, 5 ], which may be beneficial for patients with hand pain or other localized pain conditions.
Potential Applications
- While the provided studies do not specifically address the use of lidocaine patches on the hand, the results suggest that lidocaine patches may be a useful treatment option for various types of pain, including neuropathic and nociceptive pain syndromes 4.
- Further studies would be needed to determine the efficacy and safety of lidocaine patches for hand pain specifically [ 3, 4,5,6,7 ].