Tips for Making Kids Flu Shots Less Painful
Posted on Mon, Oct 19, 2009 @ 04:14 PM
Recently UCLA Health Sciences released an article discussing ways to minimize the pain children experience while receiving a flu shot.
"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," said Dr. Lonnie Zeltzer, director of the Pediatric Pain 
Program at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA. "The key is to be creative and use the right combination of tactics depending on your child's age, the particular procedure being done and the child's fear level."
One of their suggestions is to "Ask your doctor for a prescription for a numbing cream...[to] put on the areas to be injected."
A compounding pharmacy is an outstanding place to inquire about having a numbing creamed prescribed for your child. Compounding pharmacies have the ability to custom make anesthetic creams that will meet the exact needs of your child. These compounded creams may differ from manufactured products in strength, composition, and/or delivery method.
The biggest difference is that a manufactured product is not made with your individual child's needs in mind, whereas a compounded product is. A compounding pharmacist is a great resource for you if your child suffers from allergies, or any chronic medical condition. Compounded medications can limit unwanted side effects, and make delivery of many medications much easier than there manufactured counterparts.
So if you are considering having your child receive the flu shot - or any type of needlestick - contact a compounding pharmacy to help limit his/her physical pain, and your psychological pain.