Notalgia paraesthetica is a rare entity which involves the posterior primary rami of thoracic nerves T2-T6. Patients present with a localized discomfort or pruritus on the back. The condition runs a benign course and usually resolves spontaneously. However, whilst present the symptoms can be relentless and disturbing to patients. We report three patients with notalgia paraesthetica, all of whom were helped symptomatically by the topical application of the local anaesthetic cream, EMLA (2.5% lignocaine and 2.5% prilocaine).