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How to know if your child's illness or injury is really an emergency

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Q. My 2 year old keeps saying her “eye hurts” but I can’t see anything wrong. What should I do?

Dr. Zibners' Answer:

Michelle sent this one in and wanted to know if her daughter is just playing or if something is really wrong. Well, that is kind of a toughie without seeing the kid but there are a couple of points to think about. One is that kids can’t always accurately pinpoint the source of their pain. So they will complain about a knee if it is really their hip or their ear if it is their throat. Of course it could actually be her eye. But in an otherwise well appearing kid with no other symptoms my suspicion is that she has figured out that she gets a rise out of Mommy when she complains and this has become a fun game. I would recommend mentioning it to your pediatrician at her next visit if the problem persists but until then try to ignore her and make your observations when she doesn’t realize you are looking. If there is any change either to the eye or her behavior, coordination, activity levels and so on, absolutely call your doctor right away.

Dr. Lara Zibners, Sep 02, 2009

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