Whether you're an adult or a child, getting a shot can be frightening.About 10 percent of the population is affected by Belonephobia, which is an extreme fear of needles.From experience, the anticipation of the shot is worse than the pain.There are ways to manage your child's anxiety and get you through this important part of the healthcare routine.
Step 1: Get prepared.
Think about how quickly the time will go.Promise yourself a reward if you think positive thoughts.Even if you're on a diet, you can still get a burger from your favorite restaurant.The shot will help you in the long run, remind yourself.It's for your own health when you get a shot.
Step 2: A friend is needed to come with you.
Think of the person you most trust to comfort you and not make you feel embarrassed of your fear.He or she can come to the doctor's office with you to calm you down.They can hold your hand, talk to you, or listen to your concerns while you wait.A teddy bear can make the experience a lot more enjoyable.Do everything you can to make sure you go through with the shot.You can listen to music on your phone or iPod while you wait.While you're getting your shot, you can do this.
Step 3: It's a good idea to be open with your health care provider.
Tell them that you don't like shots.Talking about your fear will make you feel better, and let the person giving you the shot know that they need to be more cautious with you.If you want to get the shot, ask them to give it to you.If you ask the provider to count to three, you will know it's coming.If you want to look away, you could have him give the shot.Understanding how the shot will help will make you feel better.The provider can show you how it will improve your life.You can ask for a handout with information about the shot.
Step 4: Before you get your shot, ask your doctor to prescribe EMLA cream.
You won't be able to feel the injection because the lidocaine cream numbs the skin.Patients feel less pain and anxiety when using EMLA cream.You'll get the shot if you apply 2.5g of the cream on the upper arm and shoulder.Leave the cream on your skin for at least an hour after covering it with a bandage.Ask your doctor if you should use EMLA cream on your child.The side effects include pain, swelling, burning, redness, paleness, and temperature sensation change.
Step 5: Positive thoughts will distract you from the shot.
Think of something that makes you laugh.A recent study shows that people are more relaxed when they think about flowers, fish, and smiley faces.
Step 6: Look away from the needle.
It might make you feel worse, especially in the moments leading up to and during the injection.Don't look at the supply tray or table.Close your eyes and breathe.
Step 7: Relax from time to time.
Drop your shoulder and lightly press your elbow against your waist.You usually get shots when you relax the Deltoid muscle.Not only will the shot hurt less, but your arm will feel better quicker than if you tense up.Nerve pain can be caused by jumping in the middle of a shot, which leads to worse pain at the injection site.If you tense your body for an injection, you may experience pain in other areas.
Step 8: You should be aware of your breathing.
Take a deep breath before the shot and exhale slowly.Slow, deep breathing helps with pain relief.While the shot is given, also blowing in and out.Reducing blood pressure, balancing the pH level in our bodies, and avoiding harmful stress hormones are some of the benefits of deep breathing.
Step 9: After the shot, move your arm.
Blood flow to the area can be increased by working the muscles immediately at the injection site.The healing process is sped up by this.You can speed up the recovery process by moving your arm in the hours and days after your shot.
Step 10: If you want to relieve the pain, don't take a painkillers.
Ibuprofen, Advil, and naproxen were shown to reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine in a recent study.Other vaccinations may respond in the same way.The vaccine can cause the body to build up immunity.If you're feeling pain, just deal with it.For 15 minutes, you can add an ice pack or a cool compress to the injection site.You can get through it!
Step 11: Empathize with your child.
The thought of being poked with a needle can be frightening for adults.Kids are more afraid when they have big imaginations.About 2% of children have an actual fear of shots, but all children need to feel compassion and care to face an injection.
Step 12: If you have a baby getting the shot, try to feed it.
A recent study showed that breastfeeding reduces pain in babies.Babies got shots and the soothing action helped calm them down.The babies did not cry or tense up, and their heart rates remained stable.If breastfeeding is not an option for you, try one of the following with your baby.
Step 13: Talk to the children calmly about getting the shot.
Children learn from their parents and don't worry about the shot in their heads.Don't worry about what will happen at the doctor's office, act like it is a normal part of life.The more relaxed you are with the shot, the less relaxed your child will be.
Step 14: The shot can be called by a less frightening word.
The word "shot" is associated with guns and serious injuries.The shot should be called something more positive."super booster" means that the injection will make them strong, not hurt them.
Step 15: You can read a book with your child.
There are many educational children's books on the market.Not knowing what will happen is one of the scariest things about getting a shot.The books can make children feel more secure.
Step 16: There are ways to make it easier on the child.
The person giving the shot can have a big impact on your child's experience.The health care provider can give the child a choice of how many boosters they want.Do you want one or two boosters for your child today?Do you want two or three shots for your child?Children feel like they have a say when they choose the smaller number.Children feel more in control of the situation if the health care provider gives them a choice.
Step 17: Talk to the doctor about the numbing cream.
If applied hours before the shot, EMLA can reduce pain.It doesn't always work out, so your child may still feel some pain.It's a prescription cream, so talk to your doctor before using it on your child.
Step 18: The child should be kept away from the shot.
Talk to them about what they are going to hold before they get the shot to distract themselves.Some children want to sing, while others prefer to hold a bear.Children find it comforting to be quiet and look a parent in the eyes.Talking about what you're going to do ahead of time will help your child stay calm.You can distract the child by reading a book, playing music or playing an educational game.
Step 19: During the shot, be your child's best cheerleader.
Keep a positive attitude when the time comes.Chances are good that your child will pick up on your anxiety if you show them how worried you are.Be a good coach.Tell him or her that they are doing a great job and that you have never seen anyone like them before.You can cheer them on.
Step 20: If you get through it, promise a reward.
Inform the children that there will be a prize on the other side of the doctor's visit when they are ready for their booster.You can either go big with a trip to their favorite place or just give them a candy or ice cream cone.Don't tell them that the prize depends on whether they cry or not.It's okay to cry during the shot.They have to make it through the doctor's visit to get their reward.
Step 21: It's a good idea to be careful with pain killers.
Children shouldn't get a shot unless their doctors recommend it.It's normal for the body to have a low-grade fever after a shot.If the temperature rises above 101 F, you should use Tylenol to bring it down.If your child complains about a lot of pain after a shot, don't use a pain relief product.