Common Pediatric Injuries

Head Child Injuries

Head injuries may occur through playing sports, falling or just in aggressive playing. Many minor head injuries can initially be monitored at home. The seriousness of a head injury is not always immediately obvious. Reasons to be evaluated include losing consciousness, headache that is worsening, vomiting, seizure and changes in thinking, talking, walking or general behavior. These symptoms can be a sign of concussion or bleeding in the brain. Sometimes a CT or MRI is needed. Careful monitoring after injury is important no matter the extent of injury.

Fractures

While playing, children are prone to falls that can result in fractures. After a fall, the child should be watched for pain, swelling and tenderness of bone or joint. Children will often hold a broken arm close to them, or limp if they have a leg fracture, so watching for changes in behavior can be helpful in determining if a fracture has occurred. Even though children’s bones have a miraculous ability to repair themselves, fractures involving the growth plates can inhibit normal bone growth and must be watched carefully by a medical provider.

Burns

Children must be watched carefully around hot objects to prevent burns and must wear sunscreen to prevent sunburns. Children under the age of 5 are prone to deeper and more damaging burns. Burns increase risk for skin infections. Scald burns can continue to worsen up to 48 hours after initial injury, and applying ice or ice-cold water can worsen the burn. Some burns can be monitored at home, while others must be seen by a medical professional.

Ingestion or placement of small objects

Inquisitive children will find small objects and occasionally these objects end up in their mouths, ears etc. Swallowing of objects that impairs breathing requires emergent medical treatment to prevent death. Many objects swallowed without choking pass through the body and are not harmful to the child. Some objects can corrode in the body and cause problems- these objects must be removed. Objects that are placed in the ears can often be removed in a medical clinic and cause minimal harm.

Our Urgent Care Walk-In Clinics in Omaha, Bennington, West Omaha, Rockbrook, Crossroads & Bellevue, NE

Our staff works to provide prompt, personal, and professional care for all of our patients. We strive to provide the attention patients need in as quick a time as possible. Urgent Care Clinics in Omaha & Bellevue, Nebraska has three locations in the Omaha metropolitan area. Our three walk-in clinics are:

Disclaimer
The information contained on this webpage is for educational purposes as well as to provide general information and general understanding of the pertinent medical issue only, not to provide a specific diagnosis. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. By using this blog/web site you understand there is no doctor patient relationship between you and the blog/web site publisher. The information included on this site should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a licensed medical professional in your state. Neither Urgent Care Network, its subsidiaries, affiliates, assignees or successors in interest, nor any other party assume liability for loss or damage due to reliance on content of this blog/web site. If you are experiencing a severe medical issue, you should seek emergency assistance immediately.