Every parent has to deal with slips, falls, cuts, and scrapes. The same goes for illnesses. A simple bandage or over-the-counter cold medicine isn’t always sufficient, but thankfully, the situation often isn’t serious enough to warrant a trip to the emergency room. In many cases, an urgent care center is your best resource. These centers provide immediate care for injuries and symptoms that aren't life-threatening. If your child is injured or experiencing concerning symptoms like the following, it's time to get them to a doctor right away.

When Does a Child Need an Urgent Care Doctor?

1. Extensive Rashes or Swelling

Allergic reactions are common and have many sources. For example, if your child develops a rash from poison ivy or an insect bite, they may be having a minor allergic reaction. Eating certain foods like shellfish can also cause extensive swelling. If these symptoms don't go away quickly, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Urgent care staff can administer medication to keep your child comfortable and control symptoms. They’ll also test to confirm the cause so that you know what allergens to avoid in the future. However, if there's swelling around the mouth, neck, or throat, or your child is having trouble breathing, seek emergency care at the ER. These indicate more severe and complicated allergic reactions.

2. Flu-Like Symptoms

Whether it’s the flu or a similar illness, you don’t need to wait to see your primary care physician. Urgent care staff can see your child right away, diagnose the condition, and prescribe medication. This leads to more immediate treatment and gets your child on the path toward getting better without having to wait for a regular appointment.

3. Cuts

Urgent care staff can address cuts anywhere on the body. Generally, cuts will be straight and shallow, and you should be able to control minimal bleeding by applying pressure. The staff can apply stitches to fix the problem and reduce the chances of permanent scarring. 

If the cut is deep, bleeding uncontrollably, has jagged edges, or is on a joint, it’s better to go to the emergency room. These require more extensive care and can even be life-threatening.

If your family needs urgent care in the High Point, NC, area, turn to Palladium Primary Care. This practice offers a wide range of health care services, including pediatric urgent care. Their diverse team is led by Dr. Osei-Bonsu and uses the latest diagnostic and treatment technology for superior care. Call (336) 841-8500 today to speak with their staff. Learn more about the doctor and his staff online.