Irrational Fear of a Blood Test? ?

Question

I have this strange, somewhat irrational fear of getting a blood test or a needle stuck anywhere in a vein. Until now I've only had regular shots that only lasted a few seconds. I have had novocain shots in my mouth. But none of these scared me as much as a blood test.

So I'd like to know, what's it like to get a blood test, how long does it take, etc.

And this sounds stupid, but why do they have to extract it with a needle? Why can't we just use blood that comes out naturally, or from a wound?

Thanks ^^;

Answer 1

Do you have any exposed veins near the joint in your arm?  If you do that makes a blood test considerably easier.  I've had a vial taken in about 30 seconds before.  If you can remain relaxed during the process it usually goes faster, being tense doesn't help.  If you don't have any exposed veins in either arm they sometimes take it from your hand which tends to take longer and leave bruising.  They may have to stick you several times also, it all depends.  Do you have any open wounds currently?  They would take a while to fill a vial drip by drip and would not be as easy to collect from.  They can prick your finger to collect blood in this manner though if you insist.  The needles are all sterile and used only once the user above is trying to scare you apparently.

Yup, if you can see them clearly they're near the surface of your skin and the phlebotomist will be pleased.

Answer 2

The needles are not clean that is why so many people have infections from doing that.  

Answer 3

There are many steps you can take to help with your phobia. Sometimes being a shown and getting the chance to "play" with a needle, similar to those used for taking blood, can make people feel more relaxed because they get used to them. There are also steps the person taking the blood can take to make it easier for you. They can use a butterfly needle which is much smaller than the usual needles and there are also local anaesthetic creams they can use to minimize pain when the needle is inserted. Unfortunately the blood has to come from a vein because the blood that comes out when you cut yourself for example will be contaminated by the skin and also wont provide the information required for the lab to analyse.

And unless you're really unfortunate all needles used in health care settings are clean and come in sterile packs.