Life Kit Curbing needle phobia in adults starts with making shots less painful for kids
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Apr 29, 2024 
Dr. Stefan Friedrichsdorf, a pediatrician and palliative care leader at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, discusses the pervasive fear of needles in adults, often rooted in painful childhood experiences. He highlights a groundbreaking five-step plan designed to make injections less painful for children, utilizing numbing creams and effective distraction techniques. The conversation emphasizes the importance of transforming medical environments to cultivate positive experiences that can lead to healthier attitudes toward healthcare in adulthood.
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Childhood Trauma
- Stefan Friedrichsdorf recounts a painful childhood medical procedure involving an infected nail.
- Two surgeons dismissed his pain, a memory that significantly impacted him.
Long-Term Impact of Needle Phobia
- Childhood needle fears can hinder necessary medical treatments and vaccinations later in life. This poses a serious public health risk, including preventable deaths.
Use Numbing Cream
- Apply numbing cream (4% lidocaine) 30 minutes before needle procedures. This over-the-counter cream significantly reduces pain and should be offered to every child.