Take the Sting Out of Your Child's Flu Shots
Bubbles and relaxation exercises can help cut the pain, experts say
SUNDAY, Oct. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Even many adults want to run away from an injection, so it's no surprise that children will try to flee, scream, cry and make a scene when it's time for flu shots this year.
"The good news is that there are several techniques that parents can use to positively impact their child's experience when getting a needlestick -- whether it's a flu shot, a childhood vaccine, or blood work," Dr. Lonnie Zeltzer, director of the Pediatric Pain Program at Mattel Children's Hospital of the University of California, Los Angeles, said in a university news release.
Pediatricians recommend the following ways to distract kids while getting a shot:
- Use soap bubbles to distract babies and younger children. Parents can hold a plastic bubble-making wand in front of their child's mouth and let them "blow away the hurt." For crying babies, making a bubble will give them something to focus on besides the pain.
- Try relaxation exercises. Tell older kids and teens to breathe out slowly as if they are blowing up a big balloon. Or ask children to use their imaginations to create a vision of a fun place like the beach or park.
- Apply a numbing cream or patch. Ask your doctor for a prescription and apply it to your child before you go to the office. Make sure you put it in the place where the shot will go -- the arm or the thigh.
More information
To learn about kids and the flu, see the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Earning your child's trust is vital to their long-term health, same goes with the doctors and nurses they have. I had panic attacks at a very young age when I had check-ups and it could've been prevented by applying some common sense. A few dollars on a patch or cream would've made a world of difference and I applaud all of you parents who are educating yourselves. If there are ways to prevent both pain and trauma that go with getting injections there's no reason we shouldn't take advantage of it.
Sometimes things hurt. Sometimes medicine tastes bad. The sooner kids realize this, the better. I know it hurts to see your child scared or hurting, but if you're not willing to be the brave one and tell them the bad stuff will go away I think you're short-changing your kid.
Anyone who thinks medical treatment should never hurt has probably never lived through physical therapy.
Unless you are younger than ten, you should be able to handle the quick pinch of a flu shot. It hurts for about 30 seconds and then it's gone, so children really have nothing to worry about. Part of the problem is that parents, other kids, and the media scare children into thinking shots are terrible; when, in fact, they only hurt for a brief period of time. There is absolutely nothing to worry about.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1z7KSEnyxw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4SmFxyust0&feature=related
OR, do your parental duty and educate yourself about the companies producing the vaccines, what exactly is in them, and alternatives to strengthen your own immune system naturally. Wait, that takes too much work....I'll just trust whatever I'm told.
HMMMMMM
our teacher Miss Keeley told us to simply keep the muscle Relaxed , pretend your arm is Dead , and DON'T watch and you won't feel a thing.......IT WORKS 
.....everybody 
's Miss Keeley. Most Popular on MSN Health & Fitness
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