When your child is sick or gets injured, you just want them to get better quickly. Children often get sick, especially when they are growing and exploring life.
Parents often take their children to an emergency department when their pediatrician is not around. However, for certain common illnesses and injuries, you should take your child to an urgent care clinic. Here, your child will get faster relief at a fraction of the cost.
Health issues that can be addressed at children urgent care:
- Allergies - Allergies are prevalent during the spring and summer months. Go to the nearest children urgent care clinic where they can successfully treat hay fever, skin allergies, respiratory allergies, and food allergies.
- Ear infections – Common ear infections can be easily treated at urgent care. Ear infections are quite common among infants and toddlers; you have to look out for symptoms like tugging at the ears, fussiness, and fever. Ear infections are usually bacterial and antibiotics are prescribed for them in such cases.
- Bug Bites – Bugs bites are common during the summer. Spider ticks or any other bug bite can affect your child’s health. If your child shows symptoms like swollen red skin, fever, pus, or discoloration, visit urgent care at the earliest.
- Strep throat – A bacterial infection that causes sore, itchy throat is the case of a strep throat. Take your child to the pediatric urgent care, where an antibiotic will be prescribed and it will help give relief to your child.
- Sprains and broken bones – If your child has a sprain or a broken bone, there is nothing to worry about. Many urgent care centers have x-ray machines and casts for broken bones. But if your child’s neck or back is broken, you should immediately call 911.
- Hand-foot-mouth disease – This is a viral disease. The signs include rash or blisters on hands, feet, legs, or mouth. It does not need urgent care as ulcers and sores clear up on their own within a few days, but if the symptoms are serious, then you should see a pediatrician.
- Pink eye – Conjunctivitis or pink eye is caused by a bacterial or viral infection or an allergy. Since a pink eye is highly contagious, it is better to take your child to an urgent care center at the earliest. Allergic conjunctivitis is treated with antihistamines. If bacterial, your child would be prescribed antibiotic eye drops, while viral conjunctivitis is left to run its course.
- The flu – No treatment is required for the flu, but if your child becomes dehydrated, you must reach an urgent care clinic for help. They will give an IV of fluid to keep your child hydrated. To be safe, it is advisable to get a flu shot for yourself and your child. But, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend contacting a doctor immediately if your child has:
- Body temperature higher than 100.4° F
- Symptoms that last for over 10 days
- Severe or unusual symptoms
If your child requires immediate medical attention, pay a visit to our walk-in clinic in Oceanside and we will be at your service. You can contact 8 to 8 Urgent Care with any queries related to children’s emergency care.
