A pain crisis—the most common complication of sickle cell disease—occurs when the sickled red blood cells clump together and causing blood flow to stop, preventing tissues and organs from receiving the blood they need.  A crisis can begin suddenly and last for hours or even several days.  The severity and frequency of pain varies among people with the disease.  A child may have pain in her back, knees, legs, arms, chest or stomach.

Most of the time, it’s difficult to determine what triggers a sickle cell pain crisis because there usually is more than one cause.  It’s important to remember that February brings chilly weather and children with sickle cell disease are sensitive to temperature extremes.  The Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center at Children’s Hospital offers these winter tips to help prevent a pain crisis:

·        Overexposure to extreme temperatures should be avoided.  Consider talking with a child’s teacher about staying indoors for recess during cold weather.

·        Make sure a child dresses warmly and appropriately for the weather—a coat, hat and gloves are a must.

·        Be sure to remove a child’s wet clothing when she comes in from outdoors and help him change into some dry, warm clothes.

·        Keep a child well hydrated with plenty of fluids.

For more information about pain management and sickle cell disease treatment, please call Children’s Hospital’s Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center at (614)-722-3257.

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