Question about EMLA cream

[LoneHighway]

Many of you have used the EMLA cream to ease the pain of needles. I was given a prescription before I started dialysis and I have used it going on eight months now. All the technicians at my center are of the opinion that using EMLA for a long time causes the skin around the fistula to become "tough." Mine definitely is tougher than in the beginning but I assumed that was a normal reaction to the constant puncturing.

I've only found a couple of anecdotal mentions about this on here, so I'm asking what is your opinion of this. Does EMLA cream make your skin harden? Experiences, links, references appreciated.

[GA_DAWG]

I don't know about makig the skin tougher, but I do know it lessens the pain of theneedles a whole lot. As you say, I would put the toughening up down to constant sticking and developing scar tissue.

[Rerun]

I got tired of dealing with the "slime"   I would use EMLA Cream AND the lidocaine shots.  Now I just use the lidocaine shots.  I don't care what they say.  I'm NOT taking a 15ga needle straight. 

I will go with a shot of whisky and a bullet first! 

[cassandra]

My experience : ladder technique : hardening fistula without Emla (2 yrs)
                                                   hardening fistula with Emla (8 yrs)


                         BH : hardening fistula with Emla (6 yrs)


A fistula will develop the longer you use it. Skin constantly punctured will scar > harden. I still believe more in blunt needles (not BH ones, just badly produced sharp needles) and calcification of fistulas.


I'll see if I can find some research by the Learned ones.

[Riki]

I've been using EMLA since I started using my fistula back in 2010.  I don't know if the skin has gotten tough, but the tissue certainly has.  I don't believe that the EMLA has anything to do with it, but having 2 large needles shoved into the area 3 times a week for 8 years might. 

If anyone from my clinic ever told me that I shouldn't be using EMLA, I'd tell them to get in the chair and I'd needle them, so they can see how much those needles burn without the numbing

[cbatsea]

Hubby was using that....developed an allergy and his skin was tough, scaly and itchy.  We do buttonholes, but he still wanted the numbing....until the vascular surgeon told him he was allergic....so now we stick the buttonholes without anything....and he's fine.  I know it's different when you're doing the "ladder" technique....they do have a freezing spray you could try!  Ask your clinic or doctor about it!   Whole lot faster, too...no waiting for numbness to occur!  Spray it, stick...you're done!

[Sugarlump]

I use EMLA cream (on 1 hour plus) and freezer spray. It still hurts.
They stopped us using lidocaine injections at home, but they were better.
Surrounding tissue definitely suffers.

[Cowdog]

I've never used any of the numbing stuff. If someone else sticks me the pain is similar to a bee sting and only lasts milliseconds, when I stick myself there is no pain whether using sharps in a new spot or blunts in a buttonhole. Everyone's pain threshold is different, personally I think its mind over matter (pain in this case).
I also have fistula grams and angioplasties without any sedation. I just go somewhere else in my mind. While performing the angioplasties my Dr sometimes asks me where I went/am mentally.
YMMV

[Hazmat35]

I have been doing in center Hemo for 8 years, and have always used the EMLA cream, unless I am in the hospital or something.  There has been an occasion or 2 where I forgot to put it on...WOW...not again. 

Sorry, I'm not a needle person and if it helps ME; to hell what anyone elese thinks!