Peter G. Pavlidakey, MD, Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio; Erin E. Brodell, University of Richmond; Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, Northeastern Ohio Universities School of Medicine, Rootstown, Ohio; Stephen E. Helms, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio

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. (J Clin Aesthetic Dermatol. 2009;2(10):37–40.) Read the rest of this article »