Does anyone have a child who faints from shock/fear/blood?

[SunshineandShandy]

I am getting a little desperate and could do with some reassurance. My 3.9yr old DD has fainted 3 times in the last 7 months.

First time was when I cut my foot. There was some blood, but we were chatting as the nurse cleaned it up (did it as I picked her up from nursery so they sent me to the nurse) and I was telling her I was fine and it didn't hurt, then she fainted. Happened again a couple of months later as I took out a tiny splinter from her toe - relief I think. Then again yesterday after catching her finger in the stair gate. Tiny cut with a little blood. Did the whole distraction thing and put her on a small plaster, then she fainted.

Once she comes round (maybe 10 seconds, feels much longer) she is dazed and goes to sleep almost straight away for about an hour. Wakes up perfectly fine and happy. I am of course terrified and then sit watching her sleep to watch her breathing.

I think we now need to see someone who can give me some advice. Should I book a child psychologist? Am not in the Uk so can go direct to which dept. I want, or should we see a GP first?

I just wonder if it something she will grow out of or if we need some help dealing with it.

[motherofmuddles]

Hi my daughter is older but yes she does faint easily. I took her to the GP's who referred us to the local hospital. Reassuringly there is nothing wrong some children do just faint but I needed that reassurance. Watching your child faint is scary, my suggestion would be to go to the GP's just so you know there is nothing wrong
Hope that help

[NCISaddict]

I used to this all the time as a child although the first time I remember was when I was 9. I'm now training as a paramedic so obviously grew out of it. Still easily faint with pain though although mine not other peoples!
My daughter used to do it too and both boys have fainted occasionally. Rather look on it as the norm in my family although DH thinks we're wusses.

[Slipshodsibyl]

Yes I have three and can be that way inclined myself. It is a bit of a nuisance. It is odd in that on occasion I can faint if i see a nasty wound for example, and yet the sight has not upset me in te least - it just seems to be a physiological reaction.

As far as the children (two now young adults) go, I try to anticipate occasions which might cause this and have them lie down in preparation or be ready to catch them as they fall.

It can help to have something sugary to hand. It is also worth ensuring their blood sugar is stable as fainting can seem to be more likely if they are ready for their next meal.


For mine, things have improved as they get older so I hope the same will be true for your dd.

[SunshineandShandy]

Thank you so much for your replies. The nurse did say to me the first time it happened that she may just be prone to fainting. Both other times we have been holding her just in case as I'd hate her to injure herself from the actual faint.

Will make an appointment with the Dr this week.

[hazlinh]

Dh does this! He faints each time he has to give blood. I suspect he has a phobia of seeing blood, i think it is called hemophobia? it doesnt upset him, he just feels all woozy and needs to lie down or he will faint. I only discovered this in recent years, dd has leukaemia so you can imagine how difficult it is for dh! He first found out he was prone to this when he fainted whilst donating blood several years ago i think. He has had to give blood a couple of times this year to test if he is a suitable bone marrow donor for dd and he nearly fainted on the first try. the nurses let him lie down and i gave him some sugary ice. The second time i was better prepared and held his hand hahaha and talked to him and distracted him and it went well. The third time unfortunately i could not be there as i was busy with dd and apparently he fainted again even though he had eaten shortly beforehand in preparation! His brother is the same apparently.

[DeWe]

I do too, much like Slipshodsibyl.

Sitting down, sips of water, all things that help slightly.

I can now forcably postpone a little the reaction. When the dc have heart themselves, I can usually get to help them before I go faint.

Blood tests are pretty bad for me. I nearly always faint which is both embarrassing and irritating.

[NCISaddict]

I found with the children being very matter of fact if they started to feel faint, not making a fuss but teaching them what it feels like and the signs then what to do, getting as close to the floor as possible and lying down with feet up on a chair or against the wall.
Above all do not make a fuss, it makes them worried which you want to avoid.