Any emergency that involves children can be a scary event to witness or experience. Whether it’s a playground injury, a toddler choking on a piece of fruit or an allergic reaction, it is always a good idea to keep a low threshold when deciding whether a child needs to be seen at an emergency department. If in doubt, seek medical advice immediately. It is always better to be cautious.
The following is a list of 6 common reasons that children need to be seen at the ER
1. Playground injuries
Ankle sprains or broken bones from playground injuries are extremely common. As is falling while riding a bike or rollerblading. These injuries can all occur while kids are playing at home, at school or other outdoor venues. While not all injuries require a trip to the emergency room, some will.
Signs of a bone or joint injury should be treated in the emergency room. This includes:
- Sudden joint or bone pain.
- Trouble using or moving the injured area or nearby joints.
- Unable to bear weight.
- Obvious deformity of the limb.
2. Fevers and Chills
A temperature over 100.4 degrees (38C) is a source of concern. There are many reasons that a child might have a high temperature such as a stomach bug or cold but whatever the cause, a temperature of 100.4 degrees F (38C) or higher means the child should be taken to the emergency room immediately. Other symptoms to look out for alongside a high temperature:
- Not eating or drinking
- Lethargy or irritable
- A new or developing rash on the body
3. Respiratory disorders
Asthma, pneumonia and bronchitis are common lung diseases that send kids to the emergency. Anytime your child is having difficulty breathing or has a flare-up of their asthma, be sure to go to the emergency room immediately.
4. Rashes
It is notoriously difficult to figure out whether a rash is a non-urgent event or something that requires a doctor. The following are tips on when to go to the emergency room
- A rash that comes on suddenly
- A rash that doesn’t fade with pressure, such as when a glass cup is gently pressed on it
- A rash that is associated with any of the following: A high temperature, vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, painful joints
5. Vomiting and diarrhea
The most common cause of vomiting and diarrhea is usually a stomach bug. Generally, vomiting and diarrhea can be managed at home with plenty of fluids, rest and over-the-counter Tylenol or Advil for children. But in cases where a child has experienced multiple vomiting and/or diarrhea episodes over a short period of time (ie. vomiting 4 times in 24 hours and not holding down any fluids), a trip to the emergency room should be made. At this point, dehydration becomes a huge concern.
6. Poisoning from common household items
During the past few years, accidental injury with poisoning in children has increased. This is according to the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics. Items of concern are things such as cleaning solutions kept in the cabinet, medications, even children’s Tylenol or adult medication. All of these can be a threat to a child’s life and should be kept away from children. Be sure to keep household cleaning items in shelves that cannot be reached by children or use child-safety locks.
Be prepared for an emergency
Although we can never predict when accidents happen, we can be prepared. We recommend
- Taking a basic first aid course (everyone in your family over the age of 16 can attend)
- Keeping a well-stocked first aid kit in your house and car
- Know where your closest 24-hour emergency room is located
References
- https://health.usnews.com/health-news/best-childrens-hospitals/slideshows/top-reasons-children-end-up-in-the-hospital
- https://www.cdc.gov/pictureofamerica/pdfs/picture_of_america_poisoning.pdf
Emergency in Houston?
Life Savers 24 Hour Emergency Room is equipped to handle life threatening conditions quickly. Your emergency or concern is our priority! Life Savers 24 Hour Emergency Room is your Houston ER for immediate definite care. Do not hesitate to call us today or stop by one of our houston emergency room locations: Willowbrook ER, Heights ER, or Summerwood ER.
