Lidocaine allergy and PICC's

[DAVID LONGSETH]

Are there any alternatives to Lidocaine for skin anesthesic if a patient 
says she's "allergic" to Lidocaine or similar medications?
I ask because a few weeks ago I needed to place a line in a patient who had 
Novocaine and Cocaine listed as allergies in her chart. She said that she 
got 'palpitations' when receiving Novocaine for dental work. She,I and the 
Pharmacist talked it over and felt it would be OK to use Lido for the PICC 
placement given the relatively small amount used,the minimal absorption of a 
dermal dose and the fact that she was in MICU and on the monitors.
Thanks
D
L'As de Piques