How does Ethyl Chloride work? What is its mechanism of action?
Ethyl Chloride is a topical aerosol anesthetic skin refrigerant. When topically applied to the skin, Ethyl Chloride creates an instantaneous cooling effect on the surface of the site by immediate evaporation of the product. The coldness created by the spray interrupts the bodys ability to experience pain. This happens because the coldness decreases the nerve conduction velocity of the C fibers and A-delta fibers that make up the peripheral nervous system. This interrupts the nociceptive (stimuli to the brain giving rise to sensations of pain) inputs to the spinal cord. This process temporarily numbs that area. The fast evaporation rate is created by ethyl chloride and its unique delivery system. 3.) How cold is Ethyl Chloride spray? The temperature of the product will vary due to the delivery system (fine stream, medium stream or mist spray) and the distance from which the product is sprayed (see Question 5). Since Gebauers skin refrigerants work by evaporation, the faster a product ev
