During the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination campaign amid the pandemic, it has become evident that a considerable number of individuals harbor a dislike for and fear of needles. This aversion is not limited to children; many adults, both men and women, also exhibit needle phobia.

There are several health conditions that can cause children to often appear fatigued or tired, including:

Phobia vs fear of needle

Experiencing a fear of needles is quite common, as needles can be uncomfortable and cause pain upon entry into the skin. This discomfort often leads to children becoming fussy and crying during vaccinations. In some cases, fear of needles can escalate into a severe phobia known as trypanophobia.

Trypanophobia is an extreme fear of medical procedures involving needles, pins, or sharp objects. However, individuals with trypanophobia typically have a specific fear of needles.

A needle phobia can significantly disrupt daily life, leading to missed doctor's appointments or necessary treatments.

How to persuade a child who is afraid of injections

Children who experience fears or phobias related to needles require support to cope with their emotions during vaccination or treatment. Having a trusted individual present can help them feel more at ease during these procedures.

It's important to understand that you cannot simply tell a child not to be afraid, as fear is not a voluntary feeling that can be eliminated. The objective is to help manage their fear sufficiently so they can undergo crucial, potentially life-saving procedures.

Here are some natural approaches that can assist your child in managing vaccinations or treatments involving needles:

Use positive words to describe the injection experience

You may need to tell us a little bit about how the injection experience went. Fear generally arises due to ignorance of something or trauma that has been felt. By telling the child about the importance of getting an injection, there will be a slight change in the child's understanding, although he or she may not fully understand.

Make sure they know you are worried too

Asking him not to be afraid will make him not believe that you are worried about him. You can say that you are also nervous about needles, but this is the only way to prevent illness or save lives.

Don't apologize

There is no need to apologize when your child feels pain, because getting a vaccine or medicine through a needle is not a mistake.

Teach relaxation techniques

Before dealing with needles, teach your child to relax and control their anxiety. Invite the child to take a deep breath and exhale slowly for 3–4 times or more until the child feels calm. Give them a hug or hold their hand during the injection process so that they feel safe.

Give encouragement

Keep encouraging your child by saying positive words such as:

• “You can do it.”
• “It may hurt a little, but you will be fine.”
• “You are great and strong; the pain will pass soon.”
• “This injection hurts a little, but it will make you healthy.”
• “It might hurt, but the pain will be short-lived.”

After the vaccination, make plans to help your child feel calm or comfortable, for example, by taking him to eat ice cream. 

Once your child returns from vaccination, consider creating a plan to help them feel calm and comfortable. This could include activities like treating them to ice cream, reading bedtime stories, playing together at home, watching movies as a family, and so on. Engaging in these shared activities can momentarily distract them from the pain and fear they may be experiencing, gradually aiding them in learning to manage their anxiety.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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