Unfortunately injuries are far too common in the summer time, especially if you have kids. And sometimes it can be difficult to determine if your loved one’s injury warrants a trip to the emergency room or if it’s something you can take care of at home. You don’t want to overreact but you also want to get them the proper care. In order to determine the type of care that’s necessary, I have put together a guide of where you should go for your loved ones summer injury.
Minor injuries can be dealt with at an urgent care. They typically have shorter wait times and you get in and out pretty quickly. Injuries that can be taken care of at an urgent care include UTIs, minor burns, insect and animal bites and wound infections.
More serious injuries warrant a trip to the emergency room. If your child falls out of a tree and breaks a bone, especially if it’s a compound fracture, you must take them to the ER. Breathing issues, allergic reactions and chest pain should also be treated in an emergency room. If you feel as though your loved one has a concussion you should take them to the ER immediately Signs of a concussion include loss of consciousness, nausea, vomiting, headaches and ringing in the ears.
Injuries sustained during sports, such as a sprained ankle, should be taken to the child’s primary care doctor first. Your doctor can determine the severity of the injury and the next steps that should be taken.
It can be difficult to determine the appropriate type of care for a specific injury but these tips should help you make a good decision on where to take your loved one.
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