Why are needles so scary? Alberta Childhood Pain Researcher Has Answers and Tips to Help | The Canadian News

As children across the country roll up their sleeves for the COVID-19 vaccine, the little ones face fear and anxiety from needles.

So why are needles so scary?

Dr. Samina Ali, pediatric emergency physician at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, Alta., said the pain “is real.”

“One, they almost always hurt,” said Ali, who is also a pain researcher.

She said that despite all the evidence for excellent treatment options for children’s pain, only about five percent of children are actually using them.

“So it hurts unnecessarily.”

The second reason, Ali said, is the high volume of immunizations in a child’s life.

“In the first five years of life, 20 vaccines. So the kids are experimenting a lot. “

Because children remember the pain of needles, Ali said it is imperative that parents and healthcare providers do what they can to help.

“They remember it and it can actually change the way they process pain on an EEG brain wave level,” Ali said, “as well as psychologically how they experience future painful experiences.”

As a caregiver, that means developing a coping plan before the game and making sure your child is mentally prepared before hitting the vaccine line.

“‘How are we going to do this? Do you want to take your favorite coat? What game do you want to play while you have it? What should we do afterwards to celebrate?'” These are all questions you should have with your child at home, Ali said. .

There is a small subset of children who cannot overcome the traumatic experience and alternative immunization arrangements can be made with a child life specialist.

A school-based routine immunization clinic may not be the best place for these children.

For most other children, distraction can be a great help.

Ali, who is also a mother, said that getting a needle is the only time she allows her children to take video games out of the house.

In Yorkton, Sask., COVID-19 vaccine site staff screened movies and brought therapy dogs to help calm children.

In Saskatoon, Sask., The Saskatchewan Health Authority said staff have worked to make the needle experience more fun. A wall of fame and a wall of sticky notes were installed for children to sign once they receive their vaccination.

While queuing at the province-run vaccination clinics in Edmonton, Alta., Alberta Health Services provided a QR code and link to their Commitment to comfort – a checklist and tips for parents and caregivers on how to help children reduce pain and distress.

Ali said that after a vaccination, it is important to celebrate victories, even if your child cried or screamed.

Maybe your son didn’t run away or stay in your arms because of the needle, it’s all worth acknowledging, Ali said.

She called it R and R: not rest and relaxation, but reward and reframing.

He stressed that it should not be a “yes” scenario, but rather that when you have finished your vaccination, you will be able to celebrate on your way home.

There is one thing Ali stressed that you should never do.

“You should never hold a child against their will, it is quite traumatic for them.

“I would like the comfort to stay in place.”

Ali said that in the short term, the experience will be less traumatic for young children and, in the long term, it will teach them to take care of their health as adults.

“If we don’t do that, these young people can become adults who actually avoid medical care because they are so scared,” Ali said.

“We have an 8 to 10 percent rate of adults who have significant fear or phobias of needles, who then tell us, ‘I will not get vaccinated and I will not see a doctor because I am afraid of blood tests.’ . ‘”

If your child needs more convincing and persuasion, Ali said one more message can help.

“They are being superheroes. They are protecting others and that’s what superheroes do. “

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