Lidocaine is administered:

Lidocaine is primarily administered intradermally for local anesthesia, especially during minor surgical procedures or for nerve blocks. When given intradermally, it can effectively numb localized areas of the skin, providing relief from pain or discomfort during various medical interventions. This method allows for direct application to the desired area, ensuring that the anesthetic effect is localized and minimizes systemic exposure.

The other routes of administration, while they may be used in specific contexts, do not typically align with the standard practice for lidocaine intended for local anesthesia. Intravenous administration is generally reserved for situations where rapid systemic effects are needed, such as in treating certain arrhythmias, rather than for localized numbness. Subcutaneous administration can also be used in some cases, but intradermal delivery is more common for the purpose of inducing local anesthesia. Transdermal methods are more applicable for certain types of medications that are designed for systemic absorption through the skin rather than immediate local anesthetic effects.