Source: Greater Media News
Summer brings more children to the Emergency Department of Freehold, New Jersey’s CentraState Medical Center than during any other time of the year.
Children are outside playing, swimming, engaged in sports and just being kids. Children, from infants to teens, are still learning new things and challenging their bodies to perform. It is a normal part of development, (but) with this effort comes risk of injury. The bad news is, your children will probably need to visit the Emergency Department more than once before they become adults.
Here are a some tips to help your family avoid some pediatric emergencies this summer.
Heat-related illnesses
The most common summer emergencies are related to exposure to high heat and humidity.When temperatures rise, so does the risk of heat stroke, cramps and heat exhaustion. The warning signs — fatigue, sweating, nausea or dizziness — should not be ignored.
Make sure children are well hydrated throughout the day (water, ice pops, fruit), wear hats and SPF 50 sunscreen or higher, and avoid direct exposure to the heat of the sun between 10AM and 2PM Infants should not be exposed to direct sun for longer than a few minutes.
Allergic reactions
Allergic reactions to insect sting venom are mildly painful for most people, but for children, they can be lifethreatening. Highly allergic people can suffer from anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic condition that affects the whole body. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, abdominal cramps and even abnormal heart activity (arrhythmia).
People diagnosed with severe allergic reactions may carry an Epi-Pen or allergy kit for these situations. Otherwise, call 911 or bring your child in distress to the Emergency Department and call them in advance to let them know you are en route. These symptoms are observed, go to your nearest Emergency Department for a detailed head trauma evaluation.
If any serious or worsening pediatric healthcare situation occurs this summer, don’t wait. Call your pediatrician, go to the ER or call 911, depending on the severity of the condition and the age of the affected child. The sooner your child receives medical treatment, the quicker you’ll all be back enjoying the pleasures of summer.
CentraState Medical Center’s Emergency Department is a Level II emergency facility providing prompt emergency care for infants, children and adults 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Star and Barry Tobias Emergency Pediatric Care area is staffed with board-certified pediatricians with emergency room training on-site around the clock, and includes five private rooms decorated in child-friendly themes and amenities such as a family relaxation room.
CentraState Medical Center Emergency Pediatric Care
901 West Main Street, Freehold, NJ 07728
866-CENTRA7 · (732) 236-8727
http://centrastate.com