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:
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Trouble breathing
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Coughing up blood
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Blue or purple color to lips, skin, or nails
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Chest or stomach pain or pressure
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Severe or ongoing vomiting or diarrhea
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Sudden dizziness, weakness, or change in vision
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Loss of consciousness, confusion, or trouble waking
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Seizures
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Animal, snake, or human bites
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Severe pain
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Loss of motion or feeling anywhere in the body
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Severe bleeding
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Bleeding that does not stop with direct pressure
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Severe burns
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Burns of the face
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Broken bones
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Puncture wounds
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Head, spinal cord, or eye injuries
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Signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, swelling of the face, lips, eyes, or tongue, fainting, or trouble breathing, swallowing, or wheezing
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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 CCRCDonna Freeborn PhD CNM FNPEric Perez MD
Date Last Reviewed: 2/1/2019
© 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.