Two notes on EMLA. We first started using this for my son's blood draws. I loved it, but the lab techs didn't. We get my son's blood drawn at a Children's Hospital and three of the lab techs have requested that we not use the EMLA. They insist that it makes the draws more difficult. Apparently the numbing effect is caused by reducing the blood flow to the area. I have such mixed feelings on this. My son definitly was in no pain when we used the EMLA, but the last two draws we used it for, they couldn't get blood from the EMLA covered sites and had to go to his forehead. This was more tramatic than a tough, one stick, draw with no EMLA. We currently don't use it. Although I may try it again. Man how I hate those draws. As far as using EMLA for injections. I tried that. I was giving my son an injection for the first time, while a nurse at the Children's Hosp. watched. I told him it wouldn't hurt, thinking of the EMLA I had previously applied to the area. Well, he let out this howling scream and gave me a look like I had completely betrayed him. It was awful. The nurse explained to me that since the EMLA was topical and the injection intramuscular, he would feel the pain. Currently we just use the EMLA for immunizations. Works great for that.