Thimble Health’s innovative patches address fear of needles, a barrier impacting millions of all ages.
It’s flu season, which means many of us have received or plan to receive the flu vaccine. There are a several reasons people may choose to forgo the vaccine. However, one that often gets underreported despite its prevalence is fear of needles. Fear of needles, or needle phobia, is very common, with estimated rates between 20-50% of adolescents and 20-30% of young adults. Rates vary between various geographical regions and some regions report rates upwards of 60%. Most studies report that women are about twice as likely as men to report fear of needles.
Consequences of needle phobia
Missing out on the flu vaccine is only the tip of the iceberg for those with needle phobia. A needle-free nasal spray vaccine for flu can protect some people, but fear of needles leads to people missing a host of immunizations, lab testing, and even medications. Consequently, all this can quickly add up to poor health outcomes. Consider the life of a diabetic patient on insulin with needle phobia: they have to contemplate multiple sticks to track their sugar levels and administer their medication every day. Some of this can be minimized using longer term glucose tracking devices or insulin pumps, but not everyone has access to them, and not all medications can be delivered through a pump. So what options do patients have?
Thimble patches for pain avoidance and relief
The core reason people fear needles is pain. What if a needle stick did not have to hurt at all?
Thimble Health has developed an innovative solution in this space. Their needle care system is offered as a patch that delivers lidocaine – a topical anesthetic – to numb the area before a needle stick, thereby avoiding any pain. They also offer a recovery patch with arnica and turmeric that helps relieve pain in the area without needing any oral medication.
Thimble was developed by Dr Manju Dawkins, based on her experiences as a physician and a mom. “For my children, patients, and fellow practitioners, untreated pain was accepted as part of the care process,” said the Thimble Health founder. “I was struck by how widespread needle fear was in adults and children—and just how few options there were to address it. It’s an issue that impacts millions, yet the solutions were limited and inaccessible to most people.”
Disclaimer: This blog content and linked materials are not intended as individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and should not be considered as such. Any readers with medical concerns should contact a licensed healthcare provider. This blog is provided for informational purposes only.
