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How can you care for your child who has a chest contusion?
- Rest and protect the injured or sore area. Have your child stop, change, or take a break from any activity that may be causing pain.
- Put ice or a cold pack on the area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your child's skin.
- After 2 or 3 days, if the swelling is gone, apply a warm cloth to your child's chest. Some doctors suggest that you go back and forth between hot and cold.
- Do not wrap or tape your child's ribs for support. This may cause your child to take smaller breaths, which could increase the risk of pneumonia and lung collapse.
- Give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for pain. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- Do not give a child two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
- Give medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think your child is having a problem with the medicine.
- Even if it hurts, try to get your child to cough or take the deepest breath they can at least once every hour. This will get air deeply into the lungs. This may reduce the chance of getting pneumonia. Have your child hold a pillow against their chest to make this less painful.
- Gentle stretching and massage may help your child feel better after a few days of rest. Help your child stretch slowly to the point just before discomfort begins, then hold the stretch for 30 to 60 seconds. Do this 3 or 4 times a day.
- As the pain gets better, your child can slowly return to their normal activities. Be patient, because chest bruises can take weeks or months to heal. Any increased pain may be a sign that your child needs to rest a while longer.
Chest contusion: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You have severe trouble breathing.
- You cough up blood.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have belly pain.
- You are dizzy or lightheaded, or you feel like you may faint.
- You develop new symptoms with the chest pain.
- Your chest pain gets worse.
- You have a fever.
- You have some shortness of breath.
- You have a cough that brings up mucus from the lungs.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- Your chest pain is not improving after 1 week.
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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.