Applying EMLA cream

EMLA cream is a local anaesthetic cream that can be applied to to skin over veins so the intravenous cannulae or needles can be inserted without pain. It takes 40 minutes to take effect and the area needs to be covered. If the ear vein is used, cutting a finger off a latex glove to cover the area is useful and well tolerated. It is not as heavy and uncomfortable as a bandage