Blood test phobia

[Whoneedssleepanyway1]

Hi, my daughter (4yo) has skin problems I also think she's anaemic. Our GP referred us to an immunologist and asked for a blood test to check her iron levels. We had an appointment for a blood test, took my daughter and although she happily went along once it came to actually taking the blood she turned into the hulk and became hysterical. I took her home without her having the blood taken as I didn't want to scar her for life. We spoke to the GP who said to wait till the immunology appointment came through as they would probably want blood anyway. So we now have an appointment for that but they want to have a blood test before the appointment.
My question is...Does anyone have any advice as she is terrified of needles now. We had to take her to urgent care last night as she has been having frequent temp spikes following the sickness bug a week ago. She was fine seeing the DR until he mentioned taking her blood pressure. She again became hysterical. Although we've tried to talk about it since the first blood test and encourage her to have it done as she's a big girl and it will help her itchy skin and help her sleep etc etc she's adamant she doesn't want to go back and I don't want to push her and make her afraid of the DR/hospital.
Any advice gratefully received

It's completely normal of children and adults to be frightened of having someone stick a needle in them (which let's face it is uncomfortable at best). I'd be more concerned if a child wasn't scared!

If you want your four year old to have tote bloods done you need to make it non optional - your child is not Fraser competent so you make the decision whether the procedure is being done or not. Local anaesthetic cream can help with the discomfort but not with the fear. Sometimes it really is just a case of pinning a child down whilst it's done. That's what I do to my own child, I'm a nurse and don't feel bad about it one little bit!

The mild unpleasantness of having the test done is far outweighed by the information is will bring in treating your DD.

I think you need to just get in wi it, stop making it a big deal, and never, ever back down just because she is tantrumming about it.

Put her on your knee facing sideways (so one arm in trapped against your body. Wrap your arms round her so she can barely move, and hold the arm being used in position.

Tell her items just a little hot scratch, it'll be over very soon, and she can have (favourite rare treat) afterwards.

The more you let her get away with acting up in a medical context, the harder it gets, especially when she becomes too big to hold down.

If your DD is anaemic, as my 4yo DS is, then she’ll need fairly regular blood tests. My DS is used to them now but I would agree with the above poster, on some occasions it is just a case of holding them very very tight. Ask for the numbing cream or spray beforehand. I’ve always found that the nurses are very very good at distracting and it’s over quickly if you can get them to stay still long enough. Bribes work well too!

Get some Emla cream from the chemist. You need to put it on I think 30-60 minutes beforehand, leaving it on the skin so get the correct dressings to put over it to ensure it stays in place. I did that for DC2's injections and it helped immeasurably, and my friend took her 5 or 6 year old daughter for a blood test and she said that she didn't feel a thing. Maybe you could do a test run of it to prove to her that she won't feel anything so she remains calm?

My DS has lots of bloods. One trick was the numbing stuff but then a big book etc so they can’t see it being done. Ensure they are well hydrated.

Thanks for all your replies. I know there us no escaping the blood tests and she's got to do it. I'll just put my big girls pants on and hold her still and treat us both afterwards. We need some answers and hopefully she will forget all about it afterwards