Kids with sickle cell disease can have pain when sickle-shaped cells block blood vessels. Sometimes medicines and other pain control methods given at home don't work well, and kids need treatment in the ER. The ER care team gave pain medicines and fluids to help your child feel better. Here's how to keep your child comfortable while they continue getting better at home.

• Keep giving your child the usual daily medicines unless the ER team told you not to.
• Help your child drink about twice the amount they normally drink. Kids need extra liquids during and after a pain episode.
• Let your child rest until they feel well enough to do normal activities.
• Your child's specialist (hematologist) will want to know how your child is doing at home. Call them to give an update or schedule a visit as directed.

For Pain

• Massage the painful area or put a warm, damp cloth on it to ease the pain. Don't use ice packs because they could make the pain worse.
• Your child can take a warm bath to help ease the pain.
• Help your child do any breathing or relaxation techniques you were taught.
• Give pain medicines as directed.

Your child:

• has a fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher and/or chills
• has chest pain or other pain that doesn't get better after taking medicine
• has a cough or trouble breathing
• is very tired
• throws up a lot or has diarrhea
• has belly pain
• is a boy and has a painful erection that lasts for 1 hour or longer
• gets a severe headache
• has a swollen belly

You know your child best. If you feel they're not well or something is wrong, call your hematology team.

Your child:

• struggles to breathe
• is hard to wake up
• has weakness in part of the body
• has trouble seeing or speaking

When you call 911, tell emergency responders that your child has sickle cell disease.

What is acute sickle cell pain? Pain happens when sickle-shaped blood cells stick together and clog the blood vessels (also called vaso-occlusion). Blood can't flow well, so parts of the body don't get the oxygen they need. This often leads to pain. Pain usually happens in the arms, legs, or back, but it can be anywhere in the body.

What can help kids with acute sickle cell pain? Health care providers can help with pain by giving fluids into a vein (IV) and pain relief medicines by mouth or through an IV. 

Can sickle cell pain be prevented? By following the care team's advice, you may be able to help prevent a pain episode. It's very important for kids to drink enough liquids. They also need to dress warmly when going out in the cold and to stay out of cold water. Learning about ways to reduce stress also can help.

Some kids with sickle cell disease take scheduled medicine to help prevent pain episodes. Talk to the care team about the best ways for your child to stay well.