EMLA is a patch that can be pasted to a child's skin an hour to three hours before the needle stick procedure. It contains two topical anesthetics, Lidocaine and prilocaine. Like Ethyl Chloride it can be used on all kinds of needle stick procedures, vaccinations, antibiotics and blood drawing. Another advantage of EMLA is if the child has to be stuck several times in the same spot. The skin only needs one application of EMLA to remain numb for a couple of hours. Ethyl Chloride spray wears off quickly and must be reapplied.

When positioning EMLA on the inside of the elbow, position is so it is in a diamond pattern. This will help it stick to the skin better.

Because EMLA takes at least an hour to cause a numbing effect there is no danger if the patch or cream comes in temporary contact with the wrong area of the body. Simply wipe off the unwanted EMLA. But if If EMLA comes in contact with your child's eyes, immediately rinse the eye with water and do not touch the eye. Call your Poison control center or local emergency service. Also call your doctor.

 When you purchase EMLA or EMLA cream there will be a diagram inside the box. Show that to your child's doctor or nurse and ask them to mark on it, where the next injections will be given. Then you will know where to apply the EMLA or EMLA cream to your child  for his/her next visit..

On March 11, 1999, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of EMLA for newborns. 

This means even new born babies can be given pain relief for intramuscular injections of vitamin K and hepatitis B vaccine, and heel lancing for genetic testing or bilirubin levels.

     One word of caution. EMLA anesthetic disc and cream should not be used on anyone with a rare blood disease called methemoglobinemia. (However LHX cream can be used on someone with this disorder).

     Since babies under one year have a higher risk for the development of methemoglobinemia, doctors and nurses should use only the recommended amount of EMLA on children this young. For infants under 5 kg, the recommended maximum dosage is 1 gm, application area is 10 cm² (1.25 × 1.25 inches), and application time is 1 hour.

     Occasionally EMLA patch or cream will cause the veins to constrict, making blood drawing hard (vasoconstriction). If this occurs the veins can be made to unconstrict by applying a warm pack to the site before the procedure.

Here is a very simple and instructive site on how to use EMLA cream.

http://www.skinsite.com/info_emla_cream.htm

Here is a great EMLA information website.

http://www.emla-ad.com/

 This is the first product I have received feedback about from a real parent with a real kid.  Here are two letters from a parent of an autistic eight-year-old.

"Of course. Most of the kids that go to our DAN get the cream and the nurse says that most don't flinch. The kids she generally has a problem with  (even with the cream) are those that have had really traumatic,
painful incidences elsewhere."

and

"Our doc uses EMLA, which is lidocaine. It's just incredible and you  can see the difference. My kiddo doesn't have any fear of the IV,  but if we ever go to a place like Quest for a regular blood draw he screams bloody murder and fights tooth and nail. He starts acting up the minute he sees their building. It's crazy not to try to make the experience better since our kids are always having to have so many pokes."