Parents may be quick to bring their children to the emergency room for many different reasons. It might be that the child’s fever has spiked or that rashes have started to develop on their skin. A similar situation occurs when their child experiences a sprain after rough play.
That being said, most of these cases can be treated in urgent care rather than in the ER. Unless your child is facing an absolute emergency that requires a specific type of treatment, you should consider heading to an urgent care clinic instead.
Here are some of the most common child illnesses that can are treated in urgent care:
1. Allergies
One of the most common child illnesses treated in an urgent care clinic is that of allergies. Urgent care will be able to effectively treat kids for conditions such as adverse reactions brought on by skin and food allergies.
2. Sprains
Minor sprains can easily be treated at an urgent care clinic. Children usually get minor sprains during rough play or an accident. Getting the sprain checked out at an urgent care clinic will determine whether the sprain needs a setting or a cast, or if it can heal on its own after a few days.
3. Bug Bites
Ticks bites, spider bites, and those from other insects can be quickly addressed in an urgent care clinic. A blood test may be recommended because some bugs, such as ticks, may carry certain diseases that can cause other further complications to the child.
4. Strep Throat
Strep throat is known to be one of the most notorious child illnesses. Most of the time, it requires antibiotics to help the child recover. The infection causes fever, fatigue, sore throat with red spots, painful swallowing, and digestive issues such as vomiting and diarrhea.
5. Common Colds
Common colds happen most often during winter and the rainy season, but they can happen at any time. You will probably see most of the children in urgent care clinics are suffering from the common cold because it is often associated with other symptoms such as a fever that lasts more than three days.
6. Ear Infections
The typical ear infection can be treated at urgent care. This condition is most common in infants and toddlers who don’t have the ability to tell you how they’re feeling. Look out for other symptoms such as tugging at the ears, fever, and fussiness. When your child is diagnosed with an ear infection, he or she may be prescribed with antibiotics.
7. Minor Cuts and Burns
Similar to minor sprains, if your child suffers from minor cuts or burns, you can bring him or her to urgent care to get proper treatment and prevent infection.
8. Pink Eye
Allergies and bacterial or viral infections can cause pink eye. This condition is highly contagious, which is why you need to take your child to the urgent care clinic as soon as you notice the symptoms.
Conclusion
If the pediatrician’s clinic is closed for the day and you need to get your child checked, an urgent care facility is the best place to go. As long as your child is not experiencing any life-threatening symptoms, an urgent care facility can take care of your needs.
At Brantford Children’s Clinic, we offer quality urgent care for kids. Our licensed pediatric specialists are ready to serve your children!