Final answer:
A non aerosol topical anesthetic can be applied using a cream, gel, or spray form directly to the skin or mucosal surfaces. These anesthetics are used to block nerve conduction locally, providing temporary numbness or paralysis of the area without causing structural damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
A non aerosol topical anesthetic may be applied by the use of creams, gels, or sprays that are designed for direct application to the skin or mucous membranes. The mode of administration for local anesthetics varies based on the drug's form and the intended use. Creams are particularly common for topical anesthesia and involve simply applying the cream to the skin with a finger tip unit concept to guide the amount needed.
It is important to note that local anesthetics work by blocking nerve conduction in a specific area, making them effective for purposes like numbing the skin before a minor surgical procedure or an injection. Unlike general anesthetics that are administered through inhalation or intravenous injection and affect the entire body, topical anesthetics are applied locally and have a reversible action, causing temporary sensory and sometimes motor paralysis in the treated area without structural damage to nerve fibers or cells.