Fear of needles is very common in both children and adults. Nearly all of us have gotten or get needles as part of our regular immunizations and doctor checkup visits. When we get sick we get them more often, for medications or blood tests. Many of us are able to handle the fear of needles, so we can get the immunizations, medications or blood tests we need.

Although routine for most people, if the fear is so great that it stops someone from getting needles, then they may have a condition known as ‘needle phobia’. This emotional condition becomes a problem when avoiding needles interferes with appropriate health care. The fear and avoidance of needles may also affect work, travel, insurance and other areas of life because often needle procedures are necessary for immunizations and blood tests.

Needle phobia is not uncommon. Some researchers estimate that it is prevalent in as much as 5% - 10% of the population, combining both children and adults. (Kleinknecht, 1987; Mark, 1988; Craske, Antony, & Barlow, 1997).

Needle phobia is a medical condition that deserves treatment just as much as any other medical condition. You shouldn't be ashamed of having needle phobia any more than you should be ashamed of having a headache. Whether your particular needle phobia is biological or psychological in origin, or both, in medical journals it is still called needle phobia or trypanophobia (and there is an ICD-10 medical insurance code for it)

The specific symptoms induced by needle phobia are directly related to its underlying cause, making it rather straightforward to identify the actual source and treat it.

1. Fainting. People who suffer from severe dizziness or fainting in response to needles typically have vasovagal reflex reaction, which often runs in the family.

2. Bad Memories or Ruminations. People who experience emotional reactions such as anxiety, insomnia, and panic attacks are suffering from emotions provoked by prior experiences (or imaginings). Their fears can be activated at any time, and they often have other medically-related fears as well.

3. Pain Intensity. Some people have a genetic condition that makes them extremely sensitive to pain. They cannot understand how other people can so bravely tolerate the enormous physical pain of a shot. They react to the pain with high anxiety, blood pressure and/or high heart rate, at some time during the procedure.

4. Fear of Being Restrained. People with this variety of needle phobia are actually afraid of being held down or controlled (restrained), even though they may think the needle itself is the actual issue. They typically develop a high heart rate, and may become physically or emotionally violent or may even try to run away.

5. Empathetic. Watching someone else receive a shot or medical care precipitates one of the above reactions.

Courtesy of Sclero.org (http://www.sclero.org/support/emotional-adj/needle-phobia/a-to-z.html)

• Feel intense fear and distress

• Increased heart rate and blood pressure (Willemsen, 2002)

• Sudden reflexive high drop in heart rate and blood pressure (Willemsen, 2002)

After the heart rate and blood pressure increases, the body then reacts by trying to reverse by slowing down. This reflex is called the vaso-vagal reflex, which causes the heart to slow down and blood pressure to drop. Sometimes this reflex is so pronounced that it causes fainting. (Willemsen, 2002).

• Have the person (or yourself) lie down when getting an injection, IV, or blood test

• Apply a desensitizing agent (“numbing cream” or topical anesthetic cream), such as EMLA, LMX 4 or NeuroMed7 to the treatment area prior to the needle stick or IV insertion.

• Have the person continue to stay lying down for a few minutes after the needle, and get up very slowly

• Have the person (or yourself) tighten the muscles in the arm, legs and body, while relaxing the needle treatment arm

For many needle phobics, the physiological needle-phobia reaction is much more unpleasant and anxiety-provoking than the needle stick itself.

Needle phobia should not be ignored. If it causes a person to shy away from appropriate health care it can lead to more serious health problems in the future.

One of the most effective steps in overcoming severe needle phobia is to anesthetize the site of the needle stick.

For most needle phobics, this temporary disconnection of the needle procedure site from the brain is critically important.

Wash and disinfect the treatment area Warm the small treatment area with a hot compress for 5 – 10 minutes

prior to application of topical anesthetic Immediately apply 2 – 3 milliliters to the treatment area (approximately the

circumference of a US dime and about 1/8” thick With a gloved hand, massage in a vigorous circular motion for 30 – 60

seconds Apply an occlusive dressing such as a Tegaderm patch (you can find these

sold at most retail pharmacies) or simple Saran Wrap Leave product on for 15 – 30 minutes prior to needle treatment Remove with a damp gauze pad Allow normal preparation with an alcohol swab

Each of these can be purchased online and are readily accessible:

LMX4 by Ferndale (US Registered)

Dr. Numb (Canada Registered)

NeuroMed7 by Sambria Pharmaceuticals (US Registered)

These products can be ordered by your doctor:

Synera patch by Galderma

EMLA cream by Astra Zeneca

Sambria Pharmaceuticals is the developer of NeuroMed7® Rapid-onset Topical Anesthetic

NeuroMed7® peaks at only 15 – 20 minutes

NeuroMed7® is both safe and effective

NeuroMed7® includes a patent-pending delivery formulation designed to absorb rapidly for fast comfort

NeuroMed7® is affordable compared to other topical anesthetic products

NeuroMed7® can be purchased online at www.sambriapharma.com or by calling 888.246.6601