Not every medical problem is an emergency. Some might need to be addressed as soon as possible, but no one is going to die in the meantime. When you have children, any medical issue can feel as worse as the next one, but the reality is that many are relatively minor. Preparing for some of these problems can help you to deal with them sensibly, and perhaps avoid either an unnecessary emergency room visit or a long wait to get a doctor’s appointment. Here are some of the problems you can prepare for if you want to avoid panicking.
Toothaches and Damaged Teeth
Toothaches can feel terrible for anyone, and sometimes they can’t wait too long to be addressed. If you or your child is in a lot of pain from a toothache, seeking the right dental treatments as soon as possible is important. Damaged teeth, perhaps from falling over, can also be an issue that you need to address right away, especially if an adult tooth is knocked out. Going to an emergency room probably isn’t the right course of action for either a toothache or a broken tooth. However, your dentist should be able to offer urgent appointments so that they can see you right away.
Potentially Minor But Urgent Injuries
Plenty of injuries need to be seen to urgently, but they’re not life-threatening. Lots of minor injuries can be addressed at home with your own first aid kit, but others might need a bit more attention. Before going to the emergency room, check if there is an urgent care or walk-in clinic that you can visit instead. These are designed for injuries and illnesses ranging from fever and vomiting to cuts and broken bones. It can be a quicker way of dealing with anything that doesn’t necessarily require emergency treatment.
Fevers and Illness
When your child isn’t feeling well, you don’t feel too great either. Sometimes a fever or other symptoms of illness can be serious, but often it’s simply a sign a temporary illness. To have a better idea of how to tell the difference, you should know the warning signs of a more serious issue. For example, if your child is struggling to retain liquids, they could become dehydrated. It’s a good idea to know the signs of things like meningitis and sepsis, which could start as a fever but turn into an emergency situation.
Ear or Eye Pain
Our ears and eyes are precious, so when they hurt, it’s easy to worry. Eyes, in particular, are kind of delicate and can get scratched fairly easily. As if that’s not enough, kids can’t seem to resist sticking things in places where they don’t belong. Sometimes, an earache or sore eye will clear up on its own. But if it doesn’t go away, it’s very painful, or you notice swelling, it might need medical attention. An urgent care or walk-in clinic is ideal for this, getting you seen quickly.
Not every medical problem is an emergency. Sometimes, you don’t want to delay, but you don’t need to rush to the ER, either.