Parenting 101: 5 Things You Should Always Take Your Kids to the Urgent Care for

When your kid is injured or feeling sick, there is always the question of what to do. When do you take your child to urgent care? Can it wait until the pediatricians’ office opens or even consider going to the emergency room?

If your child is dealing with a life-threatening injury or medical condition, you need to call 911 and get your child to the emergency room, such as the one at Memorial Hospital of Converse County. Life-threatening situations include third-degree burns, severe asthma attacks, seizures, severe accidents, allergic reactions and head/neck injuries. The situation does not need to be life-threatening to need immediate medical attention though. Here are five things you should always take your kids to urgent care for.

Lacerations

Lacerations and wounds of significant size should be seen by a medical professional. The wound may need to be cleaned, then have stitches applied to close it. The doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics to prevent infections from developing.

Fractures

Fractures and injuries to fingers, toes, arms and legs can be treated at urgent care. The only exception to this is when the bone breaks through the skin or when it is a compound fracture. The urgent care can take x-rays, set the bone, apply a cast and prescribe pain killers. The doctor may refer your child to an orthopedist for more severe injuries.

Coughs/Fevers

Coughs and fevers can be signs of an emerging illness. If a cough seems to be getting worse, or a fever is climbing or peaked at a high number, your child needs immediate attention. The doctor at urgent care can examine your child to see what might be triggering the cough or fever and prescribe medications to manage it.

Minor Burns

Minor burns in the first or second degree do not require a trip to the emergency room. The urgent care pediatrician can clean the burn and make sure the burn is not severe. Then, he can dress the wound and give you ointments to treat the burn and pain killers to manage any pain.

Vomiting/Diarrhea

Vomiting and diarrhea that persist can cause dehydration in small children. If your child begins to have issues, a visit to urgent care is warranted. The doctor can provide medications that will help manage the vomiting and diarrhea.

Always keep in mind that urgent care clinics have set hours. If your child experiences any of these injuries or medical conditions, you should go to the emergency room when urgent care is not available.