Buzzy: Innovative Device That Takes Away The Pain Of Getting Shots

Getting shots is no fun. I think everyone can agree with that. When I was young, I had to get three shots every week, and I dreaded it. If you have a child, you know how heartbreaking it is to hold his or her hand at shot time. Wouldn’t it be great if there were an innovation that could completely take the pain out of getting shots? It turns out, a little device called Buzzy does that, and I didn’t even know it existed until today.

Buzzy was created by Amy Baxter, an emergency pediatrician here in Atlanta. It looks like a little bumblebee, and the way it works is simple. It blocks the pain signals before they reach the brain. It is based on a pain theory called Gate Control. Buzzy uses a combination of cold temperature and high speed vibrations. While a child is getting shots, Buzzy (the bee) is vibrating the whole time.

The wings on the bumblebee are really little ice packs. There are many applications for Buzzy that go beyond just being used when a child is getting shots. For example, it could be used to help with places on the body that itch, or anywhere where the sensation needs to be blocked before it reaches the brain. It could also help people who have to endure daily or weekly shots of course.

In other words, although it looks like a toy, it doesn’t have to just be for kids. If you would like to get a Buzzy for yourself or someone you know, you can pick one up on Amazon for $40. Then you can use it whenever you need it at home, or take it to the doctor’s office with you when it’s time to get shots. Brilliant!

Buzzy: Getting Shots Will Never Be Painful Again

Via: [NPR]