Emla is a cream that contains two active substances called lidocaine and prilocaine, which have a local anesthetic action. This ointment soothes the skin for a short period of time, being useful to use before piercing, drawing blood, taking a vaccine or making a hole in the ear, for example.
This ointment can also be used before some medical procedures, such as administering injectables or placing catheters, in order to reduce pain.
What is it for
As a local anesthetic, Emla cream works by numbing the skin surface for a short period of time. However, you can continue to feel pressure and touch. This remedy can be applied to the skin before some medical procedures such as:
- Administration of vaccines; Before drawing blood; Removal of warts on the genitals; Cleaning of skin damaged by leg ulcers; Placement of catheters; Superficial surgeries, including skin grafting; Superficial aesthetic procedures that cause pain, such as epilating the eyebrow microneedling.
This product should only be applied if recommended by a healthcare professional. In addition, care should be taken to avoid use on wounds, burns, eczema or scratches, in the eyes, inside of the nose, ear or mouth, anus and in the genitals of children under 12 years.
How to use
A thick layer of cream should be applied at least 1 hour before the procedure. The dose in adults is approximately 1g of cream for every 10 cm2 of skin, then put an adhesive on top, already contained in the package, which will be removed just before the procedure begins. In children:
| 0 - 2 months | up to 1g | maximum 10 cm2 of skin |
| 3 - 11 months | up to 2g | maximum 20 cm2 of skin |
| 15 years | up to 10 g | maximum 100 cm2 of skin |
| 6 - 11 years | up to 20g | maximum 200 cm2 of skin |
When applying the cream, it is very important to follow the following instructions:
- Squeeze the cream, making a pile in the place where the procedure will be performed; Remove the central paper film, on the non-adhesive side of the dressing; Remove the cover on the adhesive side of the dressing; Place the dressing carefully on the cream pile not to spread it under the dressing; remove the paper frame; leave to act for at least 60 minutes; remove the dressing and remove the cream just before the start of the medical procedure.
Removal of the cream and adhesive should be done by a healthcare professional. In the genital area, the use of the cream should be made under medical supervision, and in the male genitals, it should only work for 15 minutes.
Possible side effects
Emla cream can cause side effects such as pallor, redness, swelling, burning, itching or heat at the application site. Less frequently, tingling may occur, allergy, fever, breathing difficulties, fainting and eczema.
When not to use
This cream should not be used in people who are allergic to lidocaine, prilocaine, other similar local anesthetics, or any other component present in the cream.
In addition, it should not be used in people with glucose-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, methemoglobinemia, atopic dermatitis, or if the person takes antiarrhythmics, phenytoin, phenobarbital, other local anesthetics, cimetidine or beta-blockers.
It should not be used on the genitals of children under 12 years of age, premature newborns, and in pregnant and breastfeeding women, it should be used with caution, and after informing the doctor.
