Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of your child after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
Your child was seen in the ED because they were in a motor vehicle crash. This can cause serious injuries like brain damage, broken bones, bleeding inside the body, or harm to the internal organs. Sometimes, the signs of a serious injury do not appear right away. Your child might also have minor injuries like cuts or bruises.
How long it will take for your child's injuries to heal is based on how seriously they were hurt. Most people feel very sore for a few days even after a minor crash.
How do I care for my child at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for your child. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your child's regular doctor and tell them your child was in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Keep any wounds clean and dry for the first 24 hours. Then, you can gently wash your child's wounds with soap and water, or they can take a shower.
•Always wash your hands before and after you touch the wound or bandage. Your child should also wash their hands if they touch the wound or bandage.
•Put an antibiotic ointment on the wound 1 to 2 times each day. You can cover the wound with a bandage, or leave it open to air.
●Give your child non-prescription medicines to relieve pain, if needed. These include acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) and ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin). Never give aspirin to a child younger than 18 years old.
●Encourage your child to stay as active as they can. It is OK to let them rest for a day or so. After that, encourage them to play or do their normal activities as they are able.
●Ice and heat can help ease pain:
•Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel over the painful areas. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Use for the first 24 to 48 hours.
•Use heat after the first 48 hours or so, but not right away. Heat is most helpful for sore muscles. Do not use heat on areas with sharp pain. Heat can make swelling worse. If the doctor says it is OK to use heat, put a heating pad on your child's painful area for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Never let your child go to sleep with a heating pad on, since this can cause burns.
●Your child might be scared, stressed, or upset about the accident. Tell them it is OK to feel these things. Remind them they are safe. Try to keep a normal routine as much as possible.
●If your child's car seat was in the accident, you might need to replace it. Check with the seat's manufacturer.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if your child:
•Has sudden shortness of breath
•Has weakness or numbness in their arms or legs
•Has very bad belly pain, especially if it is worse when they try to get up or walk
•Has very bad pain in their chest, back, or head
•Is very unsteady when they walk
•Is vomiting a lot
•Passes out, seems confused or very sleepy, cannot wake up, or is less alert than normal
●Return to the ED if your child:
•Feels like they might pass out when they sit up or stand
•Has a wound that opens up, and you can see muscle or other tissue below their skin
•Has a wound that is draining thick yellow, green, or bad-smelling discharge
•Has blood in their urine or bowel movements
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if your child has:
●A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills
●Pain even after taking pain medicine
●A wound that is not healing
●A headache or stiff neck that does not get better in 2 to 3 days
●New or worsening symptoms
Patient education: Taking care of cuts, scrapes, and puncture wounds (The Basics)
Patient education: Taking care of bruises (The Basics)
Patient education: Whiplash (The Basics)
Patient education: Fractures in adults (The Basics)
