When to Get Emergency Care for Your Child
Many minor injuries can be handled at
home. But there are times when a trip to an emergency room (ER) is needed. Take your child
to an emergency room or urgent care clinic after an injury if your child has any of the
below:
-
Trouble breathing
-
Coughing up blood
-
Blue or purple color to lips,
skin, or nails
-
Chest or stomach pain or
pressure
-
Severe or ongoing vomiting or
diarrhea
-
Sudden dizziness, weakness, or
change in vision
-
Loss of consciousness,
confusion, or trouble waking
-
Seizures
-
Animal, snake, or human
bites
-
Severe pain
-
Loss of motion or feeling anywhere in the body
-
Severe bleeding
-
Bleeding that does not stop with direct pressure
-
Severe burns
-
Burns of the face
-
Broken bones
-
Puncture wounds
-
Head, spinal cord, or eye
injuries
-
Signs of an allergic reaction
such as hives, swelling of the face, lips, eyes, or tongue, fainting, or trouble
breathing, swallowing, or wheezing
-
Exposure to poison (also follow instructions from the Poison
Control Center at (800) 222-1222)
This is not a full list. There are
other problems that may need emergency care. Contact your child's healthcare provider for
more information.
Online Medical Reviewer:
Daphne Pierce-Smith RN MSN CCRC
Online Medical Reviewer:
Donna Freeborn PhD CNM FNP
Online Medical Reviewer:
Eric Perez MD
Date Last Reviewed:
11/1/2016
© 2000-2019 The StayWell Company, LLC. 800 Township Line Road, Yardley, PA 19067. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.