Ask your doctor about numbing cream. Prescription topical creams that contain lidocaine and prilocaine (Emla, Relador, and generic) can cut vaccine pain in half, the University of Toronto's Taddio says, and both children and adults can use these. The creams take anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes to become fully effective, depending on the brand. Taddio suggests bringing cream to the doctor's office and asking the nurse when you first arrive to show you where the shot will be given, so you'll be sure to numb the right area in advance. December 10, 2017