Benzocaine is one type of local anesthesia, which is often used as a topical pain reliever. It is rarely used in cosmetics and is often used in pharmaceutical preparations. Dentists and doctors to prepare or “numb” a site for injection use this preparation. It is especially used on mucous surfaces, like the mouth.

Although Benzocaine will not treat an ear infection, it will provide temporary relief for ear pain. However, you will need antibiotics if your ear pain still persists.

This topical local anesthetic of the ester type is used in a wide variety of clinical situations like mucous membranes prior to endoscopic examinations or instrumentation, on various pain syndromes, to suppress gag reflexes and anorectic disorders. Benzocaine is also available in different types of dosage forms such as, ointments, gels, creams, lotions, lozenges and aerosol. There are many non-prescription products that can be used for temporary relief of oral or dental pain. However, products like tetracaine and benzocaine allow more contact sensitization than other local anesthetics.