Difference between revisions of "Get a Shot"

Getting a shot can be terrifying for anyone, whether you're an adult or a child. Belonephobia is an extreme fear of needles, and it affects about 10 percent of the population.<ref name="rf1">http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/555513</ref> You likely know from experience that the anticipation of the shot is worse than the pain itself. Luckily, there are ways to manage your or your child's anxiety and get you through this important part of the healthcare routine.

#*Bringing a childhood comfort toy, like a teddy bear, can also make the experience a lot more bearable. Don't be embarrassed about it — do whatever you need to make sure you go through with this shot.<ref name="rf2">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7219597.stm</ref>

#Be open with your health care provider.<ref name="rf3">http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/555513#vp_3</ref> Tell him or her that you flat out don't like shots. Talking about your fear will both make you feel better and let the person giving you the shot know that they need to be more cautious with you.

#*Understanding how the shot will help might set your mind at ease. Ask the provider to tell you how it will make your life better. You can request a handout with information about the shot, as well.<ref name="rf4">http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/index.html?s_cid=cs_74</ref>

#*Adults: Apply 2.5g of the cream to a 7-10 inch (20-25 cm) area of skin on the upper arm/shoulder, where you'll get the shot. Cover it up with a bandage, and leave the cream on your skin for at least an hour.<ref name="rf5">http://reference.medscape.com/drug/emla-oraqix-lidocaine-prilocaine-343663</ref>

#Distract yourself with positive thoughts during the shot. Think of something that always makes you laugh, or recall your happiest memory. One recent study even showed that thinking about butterflies, flowers, fish, and smiley faces relaxed people while getting shots.<ref name="rf1" />

#Avoid looking at the needle. Seeing it might make you feel worse, especially in the moments leading up to and during the injection itself. Don't look at the supply tray or table, either! Just close your eyes and breathe.<ref name="rf6">http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/resources/relaxation-visualization-exercise.html.</ref>

#[[relax|Relax]] your arm completely before getting the shot. Practice dropping your shoulder and lightly pressing your elbow against your waist. Doing so relaxes the Deltoid muscle, where you usually get shots.<ref name="rf7">http://www.innerbody.com/image_musfov/musc12-new.html</ref> Not only will the shot itself hurt less, but your arm will feel better more quickly than if you tense up during the injection.

#*Jumping in the middle of a shot can cause nerve pain, which leads to worse pain at the site of the injection.<ref name="rf8">http://abcnews.go.com/Health/PainManagement/story?id=4072974</ref>

#*In fact, if you tense your body for an injection, you may experience pain in other areas as a result.<ref name="rf9">http://www.dchs.nhs.uk/assets/public/dchs/services_we_provide/service-directory/our-services/health-psychology/Information-sheets/Relaxation%20and%20Pain%20-%20Communications.pdf</ref>

#Be conscious of your breathing. Take a deep breath right before the shot, and exhale slowly during it. Slow, deep breathing temporarily helps with pain relief because it relaxes muscle tension. Also blowing in and out while the shot is given. <ref name="rf10">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1247878/How-breathing-deeply-reduce-pain.html</ref> Deep breathing also lowers blood pressure, balances Ph in our bodies, and helps in avoiding harmful stress hormones.<ref name="rf11">http://www.npr.org/2010/12/06/131734718/just-breathe-body-has-a-built-in-stress-reliever</ref>

#Move your arm immediately after the shot.<ref name="rf12">http://info.totalwellnesshealth.com/blog/how-to-avoid-a-sore-arm-after-your-flu-shot</ref> By working the muscles at the injection site immediately, you increase blood flow to the area. This, in turn, speeds up the healing process. In the hours and days after your shot, keep moving your arm about to speed up the recovery process.

#Do not take a painkiller to relieve the pain. A recent study showed that pain killers such as Ibuprofen, Advil or naproxen taken just after the HPV vaccine reduced the shot's effectiveness.<ref name="rf13">http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=15011</ref> Researchers believe other vaccinations may respond the same way. The painkiller causes the body to build up antibodies that work against the vaccine. To avoid this, just deal with whatever pain you're feeling. You can add an ice pack or cool compress for about 15 minutes to the injection site to relieve pain.<ref name="rf14">http://www.webmd.com/children/vaccines/tc/immunizations-home-treatment</ref> You can get through it!

#Try to breastfeed if you have an infant receiving the shot.  A recent study that examined ways to help babies in pain showed that breastfeeding reduces pain in infants.<ref name="rf15"> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4089043/</ref><ref name="rf16"> https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/vaccines-are-a-pain-what-to-do-about-it/</ref> The familiar, soothing action helped calm infants down while they got shots. Their heart rates remained stable, and the babies did not tense up or cry. If breastfeeding is not an option for you, try one of the following with your infant:

#*Place a musical mobile 20-25 cm (8-10 inches) above the baby<ref name="rf17">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3685783/</ref>

#Talk calmly with older children about getting the shot. Children learn from their parents, so don't put negative ideas about the shot in their heads. Talk to them about what will happen at the doctor’s office, but act like it's a normal part of life, not a big deal they should worry about. The more relaxed your attitude toward the shot is, the more relaxed your child will be when getting one.<ref name="rf18">http://www.whattoexpect.com/child-vaccinations/coping-with-shots.aspx</ref>

#Read a book about shots with your child.<ref name="rf19">http://www.amazon.com/Lions-Arent-Scared-Shots-Children/dp/1591474744/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427903977&sr=1-1&keywords=getting+a+shot</ref><ref name="rf20">http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=going%20to%20the%20doctor&sprefix=going+to+the+doc%2Cstripbooks</ref> There are many educational children's books on the market that can set your child's mind at ease. One of the scariest things about getting a shot is not knowing what's going to happen. These books provide information about the process and can make children feel more secure.

#Talk with the health care provider about ways to make it easier on the child.<ref name="rf21">http://blogs.webmd.com/all-ears/2009/06/shots-hurt-how-to-ease-the-pain-for-kids-and-parents.html</ref> The person giving the shot can make a big difference in your child's experience. One successful strategy is to have the health care provider give the child a choice of how many boosters they want to receive. If your child is due for one shot, have them ask "Do you want one or two boosters today?" If your child is due for two shots, ask "Do you want two or three?" Children almost always choose the smaller number, and in doing so, feel like they had a say. If the health care provider gives them a choice in the matter, children relax and feel more in control of the situation.

#Talk to the doctor about EMLA numbing cream.<ref name="rf22">http://seattlemamadoc.seattlechildrens.org/6-tips-for-successful-shot-visits/</ref> As discussed in the previous section, EMLA is a numbing cream that can reduce pain if applied hours before the shot. However, it doesn't always work perfectly, so your child might still feel some pain. It's a prescription cream, so talk to your pediatrician ahead of time about whether they recommend using EMLA on your child.

#*You can also distract the child by reading a book, playing music, or playing an educational game with him or her during the shot.<ref name="rf23">http://www.healthline.com/health/big-shots-children-overcome-fear-of-needles#.VRGmmOmlGM8&panel1-4</ref>

#Be your child's best cheerleader during the shot.<ref name="rf24">http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/820548</ref> When the time comes, maintain a positive, cheerful attitude. If you show how worried you are about your child's reaction, chances are good that your child will pick up on your anxiety. Instead, be a good coach. Tell him or her that they're doing a great job, that you've never seen anyone be so good at the doctor's office before. Cheer them on: "You can do it! You're doing great!"

#Promise a reward for getting through it.<ref name="rf21" /> When preparing them for their booster, tell children that there will be a prize on the other end of the doctor's visit. It might be as simple as a lollipop or ice cream cone, or you might go big with a trip to the zoo.

#Be careful with pain relievers. Doctors don't recommend giving children Tylenol before getting a shot. It's actually normal for the body to have a low-grade fever after a shot.<ref name="rf22" /> Only if the fever rises above {{convert|101|F|sigfig=3}} should you use Tylenol to bring it down. A little bit of pain or fussiness after a shot is also normal, so don't use a pain reliever unless your child complains about a lot of pain.