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EMLA cream for painless skin testing: a preliminary report
S I Wolf1, J M Shier, K L Lampl
1George Washington University School of Medicine (GWUSM), Washington, DC.
Annals of Allergy
|July 1, 1994
Summary
Eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) cream effectively provides anesthesia for pediatric intradermal skin testing. This method is safe, does not impact test results, and is well-tolerated by young patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric dermatology
- Anesthesiology
- Allergy testing
Background:
- Intradermal skin testing is common in pediatric allergy diagnosis.
- Pain associated with injections can cause patient distress and anxiety.
- Effective local anesthesia is needed to improve patient comfort during procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the anesthetic efficacy of Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthetics (EMLA) before pediatric intradermal skin testing.
- To determine if EMLA affects the wheal and flare reactions used to interpret skin test results.
Main Methods:
- An open study involving 40 pediatric patients aged 1-9 years.
- EMLA cream applied at 2mm thickness to the arm, covered for 1 hour.
- Comparison of anesthetic effect and skin test reactions on treated versus untreated skin.
Main Results:
- Complete anesthesia achieved in 90% (36/40) of patients; partial anesthesia in 2 others.
- No significant difference in wheal or flare reactions between EMLA-treated and untreated skin.
- Minimal side effects reported, indicating good tolerability.
Conclusions:
- EMLA cream is a safe and effective anesthetic for pediatric intradermal skin testing.
- EMLA does not compromise the accuracy of allergy skin test results.
- The use of EMLA can enhance patient comfort during diagnostic procedures.