EMLA patches

[EvolvingMama]

Does anyone know if this anesthetic is available over the counter? It has lidocaine and prilocaine in it and is supposed to numb the skin for a needle stick, applied an hour ahead of time if you know where the shot will be given.

Thanks.

[mamakay]

I'm pretty sure your ped has to get it for you.

[spero]

EMLA is prescription-only.

[amnesiac]

It is rx only and honestly, it really isn't helpful with shots most of the time. Most of what the child feels is from deeper in the tissue where the EMLA doesn't numb.

[Jen_in_NH]

It's prescription only, and as someone else mentioned earlier, it's really only good for topical stuff. Doesn't do much for an intramuscular injection.

[huggerwocky]

Originally Posted by amnesiac

It is rx only and honestly, it really isn't helpful with shots most of the time. Most of what the child feels is from deeper in the tissue where the EMLA doesn't numb.

I've heard that before, but seeing how my daughter doesn't even notice when the needle goes in makes me wonder. She'll sit there and look somewhere, no notion that she felt anything.

I'll continue using it, even if it just takes off the edge that's worth it to me after the heartbreaking drama with my older daughter every-single-time.

[amnesiac]

It's just difficult to predict how a child is going to react - believe it or not, a lot of kids behave that way with shots anyhow. But if it makes everyone feel better & you don't mind messing with the EMLA sure, I think it's a nice tool. I think the problem I see with it most commonly is when parents or older children expect to feel nothing at all and then it becomes very surprisingly upsetting when they do feel it. So I think anyone using it needs to be prepared for that possibility.