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Home > Knowledge & support > Managing type 1 diabetes > Managing blood glucose levels > Needle phobia
It’s estimated that needle phobia affects 1 in 10 people so if you feel this way you’re not alone.
It’s normal to dislike needles, but a fear or dislike becomes a phobia when it leads to problems. For example, if a fear of needles stops you from injecting the insulin you need it might affect how you manage your type 1 diabetes.
When you have a needle phobia, coming into contact with a needle may cause you to feel:
A lot of people don’t like injections, but when you have type 1 it’s difficult to avoid them. There are needles in injection pens, finger prickers used with blood glucose meters, glucose sensors, as well as the cannulas used with insulin pumps. This means that needles are a part of everyday life with type 1. There will be needles at your regular blood tests to check your HbA1c, which is an important measurement of your glucose levels over time. You’ll also need to get vaccinations to protect you against illnesses like flu and covid.
If you have a phobia of needles, you might start avoiding them. This might stop you getting the insulin that you need.
You can still manage type 1 if you have needle phobia, you might have to do things a little differently.
You can take steps to overcome your phobia (see below) and put strategies in place. This might be:
Here are some tips to help you relax around needles. Everyone is different, so you may want to try a few of these techniques to see what works for you.
Take slow deep breaths into your belly. This can help to relax your body and stop the release of stress hormones.
Some people find it helps to tense their muscles as hard as they can and then relax them a few times.
Listen to a playlist of relaxing music or a guided mediation before and/or during the injection.
If your mind is caught up with anxious thoughts, try giving it something else to focus on, such as:
The needle tops for your insulin pens are single use and should be changed every time you use them. It’s the same for the lancets in your blood testing kit.
If you don’t change them regularly it’s likely that they will become blunt. This could cause you unnecessary discomfort. It might also put you a risk of developing lumps under the skin that can stop your insulin working properly.
If you’ve got needle phobia, you may feel faint during an injection or insertion. The fear of fainting during an injection can add to your overall worries.
You can try lying down with your feet up whilst you inject. This can help stop the blood rushing to your legs and feet and making you feel faint. You can also try crossing your legs and clenching hard (like you’re desperate for the toilet).
One way to overcome phobias is to break them down into little steps that you overcome one at a time. You can use a technique called the fear ladder to help you work through this.
Think of ten situations involving needles. Give each one a mark out of ten for how anxious each one makes you feel, with 10 causing the most anxiety and one causing the least. For example, you might give a mark of one out of ten for a picture of a needle, and ten out of ten for having a blood test.
Start at the situation with the lowest mark, for example the picture of the needle. Look at it over and over again until you are completely bored with it.
When you’ve done this you can give yourself a reward and move up to the next level.
Things at the top of your fear ladder may feel completely unreachable right now. Working your way up gradually will help it feel more achievable.
Find out more about using the fear ladder in Talking Type 1’s Not OK with Needles workbook.
Type 1 diabetes technology doesn’t replace needles or finger pricks, but using continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps can reduce how often you encounter them.
A CGM is worn on the upper arm with a small wire that goes under the skin. You change the sensor every six to 14 days (depending on the type of CGM that you have).
Micro or patch insulin pumps are stuck directly onto the skin. They need to be changed around every three days.
Tethered pumps attach to you through a tube, cannula and/or needle (known as infusion sets). The needle is taken away once the cannula is in place and the cannula needs to be changed every two to three days. There is usually a choice of infusion sets, so talk to your Diabetes Healthcare Team about what might work for you.
Learn more about CGMs, insulin pumps and what is available on the NHS in our Guide to Type 1 Technology.
Tickleflex is an accessory that you can attach to the end of your insulin pen. It makes injecting more comfortable and consistent.
i-Ports are small injection ports that you wear for up to three days. It means that you only puncture your skin when you apply the port instead of for each injection. You can wear an i-port during normal activities like sleeping, bathing and exercising.
If you’re struggling with needle phobia, speak to your Diabetes Healthcare Team. They may be able to work through techniques with you or refer you to a psychologist.
You can find information and activities to help you work through needle phobia in the Talking Type 1’s Not OK with Needles workbook.
There is also information and advice about needle phobia on Anxiety UK and Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Needle phobia and overcoming your fear page.
This content was developed from Talking Type 1’s Not OK with Needles workbook, written by Dr Rose Stewart in collaboration with people living with diabetes and NHS diabetes healthcare professionals.
When needle-phobic Billy Cole was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes aged 56, trying to finger prick and inject was consuming his whole life. He shares how he overcame his phobias and gives advice to others dealing with similar fears.