If you're nervous about your upcoming minor medical procedure, or simply not a big fan of needles, this numbing cream will reduce your pain.

Benefits:

• Emla Cream 5% 5g is designed to numb skin for a short period of time so you feel less pain during minor medical procedures
• Contains two local anaesthetics, lidocaine and prilocaine, which combine to numb the surface of your skin
• Ideal for injections or minor procedures
• Use before giving blood, wart removal, having a cannula inserted or getting a tattoo
• Numbing effects last for up to 2 hours
• Suitable for children and ideal for those scared of needles

Lidocaine, prilocaine, macrogolglycerol hydroxystearate, Carbomer 974P, sodium hydroxide and purified water.

First, make sure the area of skin to be anaesthetised is clean and dry. Shave the area prior to application if necessary.

Squeeze half a 5g tube of cream (about 2g) onto the procedure site, approximately the size of a 50p coin.

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 and press down the edges firmly to avoid leakages. Do not spread out the cream.

Remove the paper frame. 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!

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

Please make sure an appropriate 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.

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

Avoid contact with your eyes. If you accidentally get the cream in your eyes, rinse well with lukewarm water or saline solution and protect the eye until sensation returns.

If you are planning to use this product before getting a tattoo, speak to your doctor to check its right for you, and let your tattoo artist know you're planning to use the cream so they can make adjustments accordingly.

Do not use this product on cuts, grazes and wounds (excluding leg ulcers), near skin irritation or eczema, near your eyes or genitals.

If you are currently pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor before using this product.

There are some side effects associated with this product, however they are usually mild and don't happen to everyone.

The side effects for this product include: paleness, redness or swelling of the skin at the application site.