As a parent, you want the best for your child. Even minor health concerns can feel like a crisis when your child’s well-being is at stake. Signs of health emergencies in children, however, can be different than those in adults. With a host of resources for parents, Touchpoint Pediatrics presents a guide to common pediatric emergencies and how to tell when your child needs emergency care.
Trust your Instincts
Parents know their children best. As your child grows, you will become more familiar with how they behave when they are healthy and when they are not. Your child will also be able to tell you when something is not right. Even those who can’t speak well enough to describe the problem will have ways of communicating their feelings. There may be an emergency if you notice:
- Symptoms of severe pain
- Wheezing, flared nostrils, muscle strain, and other signs of breathing trouble
- Excessive or ongoing vomiting or diarrhea
- Lack of bowel movements over several days
- Painful or difficult bowel movements
- Fever that does not respond to medication
- Traumatic injuries
- Consumption of poisons, cleaning supplies, or other toxic substances
- Consumption of somebody else’s medication
- Sunken eyes, sticky mouth, no tears when crying, and other signs of dehydration
Do not doubt your instincts. If your child describes any of these feelings, listen to them. Similarly, if you think your child is seriously ill and needs urgent care, you are probably right. Even minor problems can become significant if left unaddressed. It is always best to be careful.
Common Pediatric Emergencies
Most pediatric emergencies fall under one of four categories, including:
Respiratory Distress
Respiratory distress, or trouble breathing, is a common symptom of high fevers or infections, such as croup or pneumonia. It may also indicate a chronic lung disease like asthma. Any of these causes may constitute a pediatric emergency.
Digestive Issues
Young children and infants are especially vulnerable to tummy problems. Diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, and stomach pain can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection, or by an undiagnosed food sensitivity. It might also be caused by intestinal obstruction.
Skin Conditions
Some skin conditions, such as those caused by poison ivy or chafing, can be treated at home. Others need emergency care. Skin problems may manifest as pain, itching, inflammation, redness, and other forms of discomfort, and they can be caused by environmental exposure, infections, or genetic factors. Scratching should be avoided, as open sores may allow other infections to set in.
Infections
Viruses, fungi, and bacteria can affect more than the stomach and skin. There are a wide variety of infectious illnesses affecting all parts of the body. Infections are also responsible for common childhood diseases like measles or whooping cough. These diseases can endanger other children if they spread, so have them treated quickly.
Trauma
Trauma refers to any serious injury. It has a host of potential causes, from vehicle accidents to sports. There are several trauma types, including lacerations (deep cuts), sprains, broken bones, and concussions.
Environmental Injuries
There are also a variety of environmental dangers that can threaten your little one’s health, including hypothermia, heat stroke, dehydration, drowning, and burns. Poisons also fall under this category. If your child was exposed to fire, submerged in water, or consumed a toxic substance, seek emergency care immediately.
Chronic Conditions
Chronic health conditions can be difficult to monitor and manage in small children. This means that they often require visits to the emergency room when the illness causes a sudden unexpected problem. They may also need emergency care when a chronic problem, such as an immune disorder, makes them susceptible to other concerns like infection.
Pain
Many things cause pain, and small children may not be able to tell you much about it. Even kids who can talk may not have the words to describe their experience effectively. If your child complains or shows symptoms of pain and you cannot identify the source, take them to emergency care. A skilled pediatrician can diagnose the cause and help your child find relief.
Why Choose Touchpoint Pediatrics for Urgent Care?
If your child is dealing with an urgent medical issue that’s not quite an emergency-room-level incident, turn to Touchpoint Pediatrics for direction and treatment. If you’re unsure if your child’s issue needs emergency care, contact our Touchpoint pediatricians, who are available 24/7, including weekends and holidays. You can speak to a board-certified physician who can help you evaluate the situation and provide appropriate guidance, so you get the best medical care for your child.
If the circumstances necessitate it, our physicians will open the office after hours or schedule telemedicine visits (including on weekends and holidays) to see patients. At Touchpoint Pediatrics, we believe it’s better to have a board-certified physician who knows the medical history of your child treating them. However, we can also tell you when the situation requires a trip to an urgent care facility or emergency room. We are dedicated to helping you navigate your child’s situation to experience the best outcome, whether you need a same-day sick visit, a consultation with a physician, or other assistance.
Find Emergency Child Care at Touchpoint Pediatrics
If you are in doubt about whether a childhood health concern constitutes a pediatric emergency, it’s best to be safe. Unnecessary emergency care is always better than allowing a serious health problem to go untreated. At Touchpoint Pediatrics, our Board-certified pediatricians are available 24/7 for medical emergencies. For more information about our services or to schedule a Meet You appointment, contact us by phone or by visiting our location in Chatham, New Jersey.
