Emla Cream 5% is a local anaesthetic cream that contains prilocaine and lidocaine - two active ingredients that help numb the skin.

It can be applied to the skin to suppress the pain of needle procedures, to help you feel less pain.

1) Make sure that the area of the skin to be anaesthetised is clean and dry. Shave the area prior to application if necessary.

2) Squeeze half a 5g tube of Emla cream (about 2g) onto the procedure site, over an area the size of a 50p coin. For more specific instructions, depending on age, part of the body or procedures, usage timings may be as little as 10 minutes, see the pack leaflet.

3) Take one of the occlusive dressings and remove the centre cut-out piece. Peel the protective paper away from the underside. Cover the Emla cream with the dressing so that you get a thick layer underneath. Do not spread out the cream. Press down the edges firmly to avoid leakage.

4) Remove the paper frame. Write the time of application onto the dressing. Emla must be applied at least one hour before the procedure and can be left in place for up to five hours for adults and four hours for children. The longer the cream stays on, the better the anaesthetic effect.

5) When ready for use, remove the dressing and wipe off excess cream with a tissue.

Please make sure an appropriate occlusive dressing is used to cover the skin to maximise the absorption, and leave on the skin surface for adequate time (usually 60 minutes) ahead of the needle procedure. You can also ask your pharmacist to advise you on how much to use and where to apply. Please ensure the needle procedure is performed within the following four hours, but preferably as soon as possible after removal of the excess cream.

Carefully follow the instructions supplied with the cream.

Wash your hands after applying the cream, unless your hands are the area being treated.

Take care to avoid contact of Emla Cream with the eyes, as this could numb the eye and prevent its protective reflexes, resulting in irritation. If you accidentally get the cream in your eyes, rinse well with lukewarm water or saline solution and protect the eye until sensation returns.

The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with Emla cream:

Paleness, redness or swelling of the skin at the application site.