How to Prepare for a Telemedicine Visit About Numbness (New) - Triage

Audience: pediatric

If your child is experiencing new numbness, preparing for a telemedicine visit can help you get the most from the appointment. Numbness means a loss of feeling or sensation in part of the body and can have many causes. Telemedicine can be a good first step to discuss symptoms, share your child's medical history, and decide if further in-person care is needed. During the visit, you may be asked about when the numbness started, how it feels, and if there are other symptoms like weakness or pain. Having this information ready can help the healthcare provider understand your child's condition better. Remember, some signs require urgent in-person care, such as sudden weakness, difficulty speaking, or numbness after an injury. This guide will help you prepare for the telemedicine visit, understand what telemedicine can and cannot do, and know when to seek emergency help.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the body — seek emergency care immediately.
• Difficulty speaking, understanding speech, or sudden confusion — call emergency services right away.
• Numbness following a head, neck, or spine injury — go to the emergency room promptly.

What telemedicine can do

• Initial assessment of new numbness symptoms in a child.
• Reviewing medical history and symptom timeline.
• Guiding caregivers through basic sensory and movement checks.
• Providing advice on monitoring symptoms and when to seek in-person care.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Performing detailed neurological or physical examinations.
• Ordering immediate emergency interventions or imaging.
• Diagnosing complex neurological conditions without in-person evaluation.
• Treating severe or rapidly worsening symptoms that require urgent care.

What Is Numbness and Why Does It Matter?

Numbness is a loss of feeling or sensation in a part of the body. In children, it can happen for many reasons, such as injury, infection, or nerve problems. Understanding numbness helps caregivers describe symptoms clearly during a telemedicine visit, so the healthcare provider can offer the best advice.

How Telemedicine Can Help With New Numbness

Telemedicine allows you to talk with a healthcare provider from home. The provider can ask questions about your child's numbness, look at any visible signs, and help decide if your child needs to see a doctor in person. This can save time and reduce stress, especially when travel or clinic visits are difficult.

When to Seek In-Person or Emergency Care

Some signs mean your child needs urgent care. These include sudden weakness, trouble speaking or understanding speech, numbness on one side of the body, severe headache, loss of balance, or numbness after a head or neck injury. If these happen, call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

How to Prepare for the Telemedicine Visit

Before the visit, gather information about your child's symptoms, including when the numbness started, which parts are affected, and any other symptoms like pain or weakness. Have a list of current medications and medical history ready. Find a quiet place with good lighting and a stable internet connection for the call.

What to Expect During the Telemedicine Visit

The healthcare provider will ask detailed questions and may guide you through simple tests, like checking your child's movement or sensation. They cannot perform a physical exam in person but can help decide the next steps, such as tests or referrals to specialists.

After the Telemedicine Visit: Next Steps

Follow the provider's advice carefully. This may include monitoring symptoms, scheduling an in-person exam, or starting treatments. If symptoms worsen or new concerning signs appear, seek in-person care promptly.

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Note when the numbness started and how it has changed over time.
• Identify the exact area(s) where numbness occurs.
• Observe and record any other symptoms such as weakness, pain, or changes in behavior.
• Prepare a list of your child's current medications and medical history.
• Find a quiet, well-lit space with a reliable internet connection for the visit.
• Have a responsible adult available to assist your child during the telemedicine appointment.

After your tele-visit

• Follow any care instructions or medication guidance given by the provider.
• Schedule any recommended in-person follow-up visits or tests.
• Monitor your child's symptoms closely and note any changes.
• Seek emergency care immediately if red flag symptoms develop.
• Keep a record of symptom progression to share with healthcare providers.

FAQs

Can telemedicine diagnose the cause of my child's numbness?

Telemedicine can help assess symptoms and guide next steps, but it often cannot provide a definitive diagnosis for numbness without an in-person exam and tests.

What should I do if my child’s numbness suddenly gets worse?

If numbness worsens quickly or is accompanied by weakness, difficulty speaking, or other serious symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately.

How can I help my child during the telemedicine visit?

Stay calm, provide clear information about symptoms, assist your child with any guided physical checks, and make sure the environment is quiet and well-lit.

Is it safe to use telemedicine for new numbness symptoms in children?

Telemedicine is a safe way to start evaluating new numbness, but it is important to follow provider advice and seek in-person care when recommended.

What information should I have ready for the telemedicine appointment?

Be ready to share when numbness began, which areas are affected, any other symptoms, your child's medical history, and current medications.

Sources

1. Numbness and Tingling — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. Neurological Examination — Mayo Clinic.
3. When to Seek Emergency Care for Children — American Academy of Pediatrics.
4. Telemedicine: What You Need to Know — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This telemedicine guidance is for educational purposes and triage only. It is not a substitute for in-person medical care, diagnosis, or treatment. If your child has severe, worsening, or emergency symptoms, seek immediate medical attention in person.