\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. year later fell down stairs hurt same area. Have your child lie down and rest until all symptoms have cleared. What should you check after a fall? Nothing should be loose or sticking out of stairs, such as loose boards, nails or other building debris. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. How to choose a medical alert system. Which is pretty amazing considering 75 percent suffered injuries to their head and neck. Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine. You will sleep better knowing that your home is prepared for any potential mishaps and that you know exactly what to do should anything like this happen again. Falls are the most common childhood injury. If you see any obvious swelling or deformity in the extremities, or your child is limping for more than a few hours, you should go to the ER or your doctors office. (2014). You can also wear a medical alert button on your wrist or around your neck. But some can be serious and need immediate medical care. my other teeth nerves still fine.will they remain ok? Heres what else you might do in the immediate aftermath of a non-emergency fall: Whether minor or major, all baby falls should be reported to a doctor. If your child has a very minor cut on the face or scalp, gently clean it with mild soap and warm water and put a bandage on it (ask the doctor if you should apply an antiseptic first). Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription. You can give children acetaminophen for pain, but check with your child's doctor before giving any other medication. Make sure that the latch on the gate is properly closed at all times you need the gate to be effective. If your child fell on their back or neck, or hit their head, we suggest that you seek emergency pediatric trauma care if they have any of the following symptoms: If your child fractures a bone, medical attention will absolutely be needed. Stair lighting can be placed on the wall, about 5-6 inches above stairs. Typically, urgent care preferably an orthopedic urgent care can be an option if the injury is not an open fracture (the broken bone did not puncture the skin) and is in one of the following areas: A trip to an emergency room or pediatric trauma center is likely needed if: Kids fall often and youre always there to pick them back up. Most of the time, any minor bumps, cuts and bruises are the only sign that your childs excitement got the best of them for a moment. Wendy Wisner is a lactation consultant and writer covering maternal/child health, parenting, general health and wellness, and mental health. Arrange for someone to stay with you for the next 24 hours, in case you need help. Infants and toddlers are prone to rolling off beds or couches, falling out of high chairs, strollers, car seats or swings, and getting bumps and bruises from all kinds of things. When should I take my kid to the emergency room for neck, back or possible spinal injuries? Jacobs JV. Note: mild headache, mild dizziness and nausea are common. What happens if you fall down the stairs and hit your head? Look at your babys first fall as a learning experience and an opportunity to take precautions so that another fall is less likely to happen. Is it normal for nipples to crack during pregnancy? Falling down stairs injures thousands of people a year, and when seniors fall, the consequences can be painful. Sharp and painful headaches, along with confusion, are often the first signs of brain bleeding. If you experience any of these symptoms after falling down the stairs, seek medical attention. Common Sports Injuries and How to Prevent Them, What to do if your infant falls off the bed or changing table, Home fall prevention, infants ages birth to one year, A caregiver falling asleep while feeding or rocking their baby, and the baby drops out of their arms, A caregiver carrying a baby who trips, falls, and drops the baby, Falling down stairs when they are first becoming mobile and exploring their surroundings, Falling onto or against hard or pointy surfaces as they are learning to roll, walk, and, Discharge or blood is coming out of your baby's nose or ears, The soft spot (fontanelle) on their skull begins to swell, There are signs of a skull fracture (bruising, swelling of head, bleeding, cut on the scalp), Your baby's limbs, neck, or spine look out of alignment or deformed, and you suspect a bone break, There is any sign your baby is not behaving like their normal self; for example, appearing lethargic or not feeding properly, Call your doctor; they may or may not ask you to bring your baby in, but you should check in soon after a fall for advice, Clean any cuts or scrapes with soap and water, Apply a cold compress or ice pack to any reddening spots or bumps to prevent swelling, Keep watch over your baby for the next several hours for signs of a concussion or other brain injury (dizziness, headache, extreme crankiness, seems less alert and less coordinated, looks sweaty, pale, or begins to vomit), If your baby is sleepy,your doctor may advise you to let them sleep, but check on them at two-hour intervals to make sure they are doing well, Ask you to describe how your baby fell, and how they behaved right after the fall, Examine your baby for signs of minor or more serious injury, Tell you what to look for in your baby over the next 24 hours, such as signs of concussion or other brain injuries, Tell you whether its necessary to check on your baby that night while they sleep, Let you know if a follow-up visit is necessary, and what to do in cases of emergency, Go over your home safety plan to prevent future falls.

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