It happens to virtually every parent. Your kid takes a tumble and gets minor injuries or an obvious bruise. They’re crying, or maybe they’re not doing anything different at all. You might wonder if it’s a minor mishap or a more serious issue. Here are a few ways you can tell that your child needs medical attention.
Unusual Swelling
When kids bump their elbows or their knees, they may get a little swollen. Swelling by itself isn’t proof of a break or severe sprain. What you’re looking for is unusual swelling or signs of an infection. Swelling is the body’s way of protecting and healing, but sometimes it goes too far. Injuries can trigger chronic conditions that you haven’t discovered yet. If the swelling looks like pus instead of fluid, or if it doesn’t get better with ice and elevation, you should get it checked out.
Discoloration
Bruising from a fall is a rite of passage that many view as proof of their toughness. Of course, not all bruising is normal. Bruises usually start red in light skin tones due to an increase in blood flow; darker skin tones often deepen in color. Next, bruises turn darker and then orange in fair skin tones and lightening in dark skin tones. Finally, a yellowing or fading will be present before disappearing. If the bruising doesn’t go away, or if you notice that your child bruises very easily, it’s time to consult a doctor for additional testing.
Persistent Pain
Kids tend to shrug off minor injuries, but that doesn’t always happen. It’s probably not surprising that about 80% of pediatric visits to emergency departments relate to excessive pain.3 Pain and injuries go hand and hand, but you’ll want to watch for signs that it’s getting worse. Download the FACES scale and ask your kid to point to the face that best describes their pain. If you can’t bring it down with ice and comfort, you should take them in.
Head Injuries
Head injuries can be tricky for you to assess, especially when your kids are running around and bumping their heads constantly. While not every bump needs medical attention, many do. After even a minor head injury, spend time observing your kid. Pay attention to unusual behaviors or sleepiness, as these are signs you need to go in. Treatment for head injuries often involves imaging, so be sure to bring a list of questions to ask your child’s pediatrician in preparation for the procedure.
Fever
Getting a little too warm can be a normal part of the healing process, but not always. When your child takes a spill, the sore spot might get swollen and hot. Sometimes children get a slight fever as a result. You might want to visit the doctor if the fever is higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, or if they’re showing other symptoms. Fever is associated with poor outcomes after head injuries, so be sure to take them in if they get a fever after bumping their heads.
Digestive Upset
After a fall, some kids start to feel sick. In many cases, it’s the only sign that something is wrong. Nausea or vomiting can be indicators of more serious injuries like a concussion, so you should pay attention. Children don’t have to hit their heads to get a concussion, which can cause them to feel sick or confused. If the digestive upset doesn’t resolve after a few hours or it gets worse, you should seek medical attention.
Excessive Bleeding
When your kid is bleeding, you can’t always tell how much is too much. Minor injuries, especially head wounds, can cause a surprising amount of bleeding. Generally, you can identify excessive bleeding when you can’t stop it with direct pressure. If you see spurting or gushing, call 911 right away. Too much bleeding can become a serious problem really fast, so you can’t wait to see if it will get better with time.
Minor Bleeding That Won’t Stop
Even minor bleeding can become a problem if it doesn’t stop. When your kid gets a scrape, be sure to clean it properly and apply a bandage. If your kid won’t stop fiddling with it, distract them with something they enjoy. Check the wound after 15 minutes. If it won’t stop bleeding, or if the bleeding seems to be getting worse, you should take them in. Ongoing bleeding could be a sign of hemophilia or other disorders that require treatment.
Changes in Behavior
Kids don’t always tell you that they need to see a doctor. Sometimes you have to figure it out based on their behavior. Children can easily handle many minor injuries without even breaking their stride. If your child starts acting oddly or refuses to do activities they enjoy, you should investigate. This holistic childcare approach can help you see if your child needs help they won’t ask for or if the injury needs more attention.
Loss of Motion or Sensation
It’s natural to rest your body after you injure it, but it’s not always easy to enforce in kids. Children might not let even a minor sprain stop them from running around, so a noticeable shift in their energy should give you pause. Ask your child if they can put weight on the sore limb. If they say they feel numb or fuzzy, you should talk to their doctor. Numbness can be a sign of a nerve injury.
Something Seems Off
You’re the parent, which means you know your kid better than anything. Trust your instincts. Some kids ignore injuries all the time until they have one big fall that changes everything. Others give you a play-by-play of every feeling they’ve ever had. If you have a persistent sense that something is wrong even if your child isn’t acting very differently, you should take them in. An unnecessary visit to the urgent care is better than wishing you’d acted earlier.
As a parent, you don’t always know when you need to take your child to the doctor. Every bump and scrape can seem like disaster in wait, especially for young kids. With these tips, you can learn when you should listen to your gut and get your kid to the hospital.
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