Relief from fear of needle can be achieved with the help of skilled healthcare professionals and overcoming it is possible through repeated positive experiences.
It is important to always inform staff about your fear of needles. Laboratory personnel are equipped to support you in the way that best suits your individual needs.
Most people fear the pain caused by the needle, while others are disturbed by the idea of something being removed from the body or a foreign substance being introduced into it.
Symptoms may vary from heart palpitations to nausea and fainting.
During venous blood sampling, topical anaesthetics can be used to numb the skin. These are available in both cream and patch form. The anaesthetic aims to temporarily eliminate the sensation of pain. However, pressure and touch may still be felt, and in rare cases, the vein may become sore. Anaesthetics are not provided by the laboratory for home use, but they can be purchased at a pharmacy.
Fear of needles may be caused by a previous negative experience with blood sampling. We treat each person's fear individually. For example, some people find it important to see all the sampling equipment, while others prefer not to see them at all.
If you have previously felt unwell during an injection, the blood sample can also be taken while you are lying down. The most important thing is that you are able to relax and breathe normally.