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The Portland Hospital
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Dedicated to the Healthcare needs of women, children and their families.
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The Portland Urgent Care Centre

Pain

In Short

Information for Parents

Pain in children can be due to many different causes. It is important for any child in pain to be seen and assessed by a doctor.

What do I need to know?

The important thing is to keep your child calm, reassured and comfortable.

  • Help your child concentrate on something other than their pain. Toys, games, books, ipads or television can all be helpful.

  • Simple techniques like deep breathing can be beneficial.

  • Massage and touch can be used to help your child relax and be more comfortable.

  • Medicines like paracetamol and ibuprofen should be used if your child is distressed.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen do not treat the cause of the aches and pain – they merely help to ease discomfort. Always check the correct dose on the label. Start with one medicine and then use the other if the child’s distress is not relieved.

PARACETAMOL

  • Also known as calpol, pandol
  • Relieves pain
  • Reduces fever
  • Give every 4-6 hours
  • Do not exceed 4 doses in 24 hours
  • Take before or after food
  • Do not give with co-codamol (paracetamol & codeine)

IBUPROFEN

  • Also known as brufen, calprofen, nurofen
  • Relieves pain
  • Reduces fever
  • Reduces inflammation
  • Every 6-8 hours
  • Do not exceed 3 doses in 24 hours
  • Take with food
  • Do not give with other NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – eg diclofenac, naproxen, aspirin)
  • Avoid in chicken pox, asthma that is triggered by ibuprofen and dehydration

When to be concerned

You should return to The Children’s Urgent Care Centre (0800-2000 Monday-Sunday) or Accident and Emergency (out of hours) if your child has any of the following symptoms:

  • worsening pain not relieved by the techniques listed
  • a change in, or worsening symptoms

Further Information

If you need any more information or advice between the hours of 0800-2000 Monday-Sunday please call The Children’s Urgent Care Centre on 02073906150.

Out of hours please contact NHS 111.

Call NHS 111 if you need medical help fast, but its not life threatening- for example, if you:

  • Think you need to go to hospital
  • Don’t know who to call for medical help
  • Don’t have a GP to call
  • Need medical advice or reassurance about what to do next.

In case of emergency please call 999 or attend your local Children’s Emergency Department.

DISCLAIMER
This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Essential Parent has used all reasonable care in compiling the information from leading experts and institutions but makes no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details click here.