When to Take Your Kid to Urgent Care (and When It’s Totally Fine to Stay Home), According to a Family Physician

Kids get fevers. They cough. They fall off things. They surprise you with rashes that appear out of nowhere. As a parent, the real question is: When do you watch and wait—and when do you grab your keys and head to urgent care?

We spoke with Dr. Kaitlin Wiseman, Family Physician and Chief Medical Officer at Playhouse MD, to decode the most common kid health scares. Consider this your go-to guide for the “is this normal??” moments.

Fevers can be scary, but here’s the good news: Most of the time, they’re just a sign the immune system is doing its thing.

For infants under 3 months, there’s one hard rule: “Any rectal temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher should be assessed by a doctor right away (in the Emergency Department if the baby is less than 6 to 8 weeks of life), even if the baby seems well,” says Dr. Wiseman.

For older babies and big kids, things get more case-by-case. “For healthy, and immunized children over 3 months, fever can usually be managed at home. A fever reaching 39°C (102.2°F) on the first day of illness is usually not an emergency if the child is alert, drinking fluids, breathing comfortably, and otherwise acting like themselves.”

When to get them checked:

• The fever lasts more than 48 to 72 hours
• Trouble breathing, extreme sleepiness, or they’re “just not themselves”
• Persistent vomiting or poor feeding
• A rash that looks like bruising or red dots
• A chronic illness, weakened immune system, or incomplete vaccinations

And, as the doctor puts it: “If your child seems unusually sleepy, irritable, or not themselves, trust your instincts and get them checked—even if the fever isn’t very high.”

“Most coughs and colds in children are mild and improve on their own, but some symptoms can signal a more serious illness like RSV, pneumonia, or asthma.” Seek medical care if you notice:

• Fast or labored breathing
• Chest pulling in
• Nostrils flaring
• Blue lips
• Poor feeding or unusual sleepiness
• Wheezing (the classic whistle-y sound)

Pro tip: For regular congestion or during cough and cold season, Dr. Wiseman recommends providing congestion relief with gentle and effective tools like the Playhouse MD Light-Up Nasal Aspirator or the Light-up Nasal Bulb.

Yes, stomach bugs are the worst. But dehydration is the real red flag, especially in babies under 12 months.

Signs your kid needs medical care:

• Dry mouth, no tears, sunken eyes
• Less than 4 wet diapers in 24 hours
• Lethargy or unusual sleepiness
• Persistent vomiting or any green (bilious) vomiting
• Blood in vomit or stool
• Severe belly pain or swollen abdomen
• Symptoms lasting more than 5 days or getting worse instead of better

Dr. Wiseman adds: “Most kids recover well with rest, fluids, and close observation, but these red flags mean it’s time for prompt evaluation.

Most rashes are annoying but harmless. But there are exceptions. Go to urgent care/ER if:

• The rash does not fade when pressed (non-blanching)
• It comes with fever
• Your child looks very ill
• There’s trouble breathing
• It’s spreading rapidly
• There are blisters with pus
• It involves eyes or mouth

Home care is fine if your child looks well, drinks normally, and the rash fits the “typical viral rash” vibe.

Injuries happen. A lot. You likely need an X-ray if your child:

• Can’t walk four steps
• Has pain directly over a bone
• Has a deformed-looking limb
• Has major swelling or can’t move the joint
• Is under 2 and you’re worried about a fracture

If they’re walking, moving the joint, and improving with rest/ice? Then you’re probably OK to monitor.

Totally fine at home:

• Shallow
• Clean
• No heavy bleeding
• Not on face, hands, joints, or genitals

Get checked for:

• Deep or gaping wounds
• Bleeding that won’t stop
• Visible muscle or fat
• Bites
• Possible nerve/tendon damage
• Facial wounds