Emla contains the two active substances, lidocaine and prilocaine, known as local anaesthetics. Together these ingredients create a numbing effect. When applied to clean, unbroken skin, Emla will numb the skin for a short time. It can be used to ease the pain of procedures that use needles, such as injections, blood tests and immunisations. The pain caused by procedures using needles will not be felt, however you may still experience feelings of pressure and touch. Emla takes around one hour to take affect after it has been applied to your chosen area of skin. For Emla cream to work, it needs to be covered with a special air-tight, non-absorbent transparent dressing, once it has been applied to skin. This occlusive dressing allows the active ingredients soak into the skin.
