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Is this worthy of an A&E trip? Excessive drooling

68 replies

Flake123 · 03/09/2021 19:00

My DS 2 1/2 started crying whilst playing in the living room whilst I was preparing lunch today. When I entered the room he was pointing at his mouth, no blood, slight swelling round his lips. Asked if he had jumped, if his brother had hit him, anything in his mouth (couldn’t see anything) but nothing. Wouldn’t speak and was just crying instead.

He has since been crying on and off all afternoon,barely slept during his daytime nap, didn’t have lunch or dinner and has only sipped some water. He is constantly drooling all day and has needed to change top x3.

I’ve given him calpol to help with the pain and have given both a hot and cold press. He preferred the hot press.

I’m worried about him sleeping tonight as he still has excessive drooling and I will worry about him choking on his drool.

Does this warrant a trip to A&E? Every time I call 111 they always tell me just to go to A&E regardless of how minor the illness / injury. Would a chemist be able to help with anything?

I was worried he may have swallowed a toy that’s lodged in throat which is causing the drooling but he isn’t coughing or touching his throat etc. Everything in his mouth appears normal. I can’t see anywhere that is swollen or red.

He has never cried as much as this though so my mum alarm bells are ringing!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
NautaOcts · 03/09/2021 19:29

I actually would go, probably nothing but they know best and will be able to have a look and hopefully put your mind at rest

Hufflepuff21 · 03/09/2021 19:29

Could it be an allergic reaction? Definitely take him to get checked

Natsku · 03/09/2021 19:36

I would go to A&E. When DD swallowed a coin and it got stuck in her throat she was drooling so much, crying and refusing to eat as well, we ended up taking her to A&E and it needed to be removed under GA. Everything can look normal if its stuck further down like it was with DD, it was only visible on the x-ray.

Elpheba · 03/09/2021 19:40

Another one to echo best to get checked out. They won’t mind at all and given he can’t tell you what is wrong, and something clearly is, you need an expert to take a look at him.

purplesequins · 03/09/2021 19:41

get him seen.
fractures of the upper jaw are quite common in young children after a fall.

CovoidOfAllHumanity · 03/09/2021 19:48

Yes
100% A&E
Not speaking and not able to swallow saliva suggests a degree of airway obstruction which is definitely an emergency
Could be something swallowed, an injury, allergic reaction or infection
Go straight away.
Assume breathing and colour are OK

Bustamove90 · 03/09/2021 19:49

@welshweasel

Any chance he could have swallowed a button battery? Please take him to A&E.
I was thinking this. I saw a insta video recently of a mum who's DS had swallowed one. She didn't see what he swallowed but he was crying excessively and not his normal cry, she also said he was dribbling excessively too. I wouldnt risk it, if he had indeed swallowed this then its life or death so I would go to a and e
Christmasfairy2020 · 03/09/2021 19:50

Is he teething how old is he

cervixuser · 03/09/2021 19:52

can he swallow? It could be epiglottitis which would need A&E

KateTheEighth · 03/09/2021 19:52

@Christmasfairy2020

Is he teething how old is he

First bit of OP

"My DS 2 1/2"

Livebythecoast · 03/09/2021 19:55

@Christmasfairy2020

Is he teething how old is he
He's 2 and a half.

Hopefully you're on your way to A & E OP and fingers crossed, nothing serious but you can't be too careful with little ones. It doesn't matter if it turns out to be nothing. Hope he's okay.

SophiesMummySaid · 03/09/2021 19:55

Hope he’s ok OP please let us know how he gets on

Equalpayquery · 03/09/2021 20:00

I would also take my child in for this. Have you had a look at his tonsils because tonsillitis can come on quickly and cause drooling? But there are many possible explanations. Hope you get on ok.

Raindancer411 · 03/09/2021 20:07

I would take him if he isn't eating or sleeping and is drooling a lot. Hope he is better soon. They would rather you take them than not (or so an A&E Dr told me once)

worrybutterfly · 03/09/2021 20:14

It was on breakfast tv a few weeks about the signs of a child that's swallowed something.

The sign the doctor said to look out for was sudden excess drooling for no apparent reason. He urged people to go straight to A&E to get it checked out. Better safe than sorry.

WhyOhWhyOhWhyyyy · 03/09/2021 20:22

It was on breakfast tv a few weeks about the signs of a child that's swallowed something.

The sign the doctor said to look out for was sudden excess drooling for no apparent reason. He urged people to go straight to A&E to get it checked out.

I didn’t know this at all, good to know. Hopefully you are on your way to A&E OP, hope all okay

Hellocatshome · 03/09/2021 20:37

Did they have any drinks in the room? My DS drank a wasp that was in his drink, well he spat it out but only after it had stung the roof of his mouth.

Muchmorethan · 03/09/2021 20:44

My first thought was hand, foot and mouth.

My DS had ulcers on the inside of his bottom lip and under his tongue

Seafog · 03/09/2021 20:48

I'd definitely go get him checked out, I hope he is feeling better soon!

Wnikat · 03/09/2021 21:06

Could be hand foot and mouth. When mine had it he didn’t have spots just a swelling in mouth that eventually became an ulcer.

October2020 · 03/09/2021 21:09

Definitely would take my child in for this.

GettingItOutThere · 03/09/2021 21:17

I would also go to a and e OP!

Karwomannghia · 03/09/2021 21:23

Poor thing I hope you’re not waiting long to be seen.

Haggisfish3 · 03/09/2021 21:23

Definitely just go to a and e -don’t bother with 111. Hope he’s ok.

everythingbutthesink · 03/09/2021 21:28

Hope he's okay x

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