When to Get Emergency Care for Your Child

Many minor injuries can be handled at home. But there are times when a trip to an emergency room (ER) is needed. Take your child to an emergency room or urgent care clinic after an injury if your child has any of the below:

• Trouble breathing

• Coughing up blood 

• Blue or purple color to lips, skin, or nails

• Chest or stomach pain or pressure

• Severe or ongoing vomiting or diarrhea 

• Sudden dizziness, weakness, or change in vision

• Loss of consciousness, confusion, or trouble waking

• Seizures

• Animal, snake, or human bites

• Severe pain

• Loss of motion or feeling anywhere in the body

• Severe bleeding

• Bleeding that does not stop with direct pressure

• Severe burns

• Burns of the face

• Broken bones

• Puncture wounds

• Head, spinal cord, or eye injuries

• Signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, swelling of the face, lips, eyes, or tongue, fainting, or trouble breathing, swallowing, or wheezing

• Exposure to poison (also follow instructions from the Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222)

This is not a full list. There are other problems that may need emergency care. Contact your child's healthcare provider for more information.