Holiday Injuries and Urgent Care go Together

Whether it’s sharp toy packaging, paring knives gone awry, hot pans or tippy ladders, the holidays are responsible for a lot of “When to go to urgent care,” or “Where is an urgent care near me?” internet queries. Other online searches that spike at this time of year are “How to know if I need stitches?” and “How to know if I need an X-ray.” At BestMed Urgent Care, we’re happy to see so many people finding our urgent care clinics, though we wish for a safer season for everyone. Before we jump into tips to help reduce the likelihood of an urgent care visit, it’s worth a refresher on those hot search items:

When to go to urgent care?

Urgent care is a smart choice for injuries that need prompt attention but that are not life-threatening. When it comes to common cuts and lacerations, urgent care can help with the wound repair and care. In all other cases, we’re here to help, and if needed, we have in-house X-ray for possible broken bones. 

While many injuries can be taken care of at home, go to urgent care if:

• You can’t apply pressure to get the bleeding to stop in 15 minutes or, even with pressure it won’t stop bleeding in 15 minutes.
• You are unable to manage pain.
• There is new or worsening pain.
• You experience numbness or tingling.
• The area that’s injured is pale or cooler than usual.
• If there is redness, warmth, pus or if you have a fever.

Where is an urgent care near me?

An online search is the best way to find an “urgent care near me”. There’s often a BestMed Urgent Care near you, and we’re proud of our high ratings as well as the convenient hours. Add on the walk-in format – no appointment is needed – and you’re on your way to feeling better, faster. Are you located in the Salem, Oregon area? Visit our BestMed Urgent Care in Salem today for the best “urgent care near me”.

How to know if you need stitches:

It can be difficult for someone without medical expertise to assess an injury to know if it needs stitches. Some injuries require stitches for proper healing, to reduce long-term impacts and to speed healing and prevent infection. 

Likely scenarios for stitches include:

• A cut doesn’t stop bleeding after 10-15 minutes of pressure.
• If it is over a  joint and can’t be closed with a bandage.
• You can see fat, muscle or bone when the edges pull apart.
• The cut goes through the full thickness of the skin.
• The edges of the injury are ragged.

If in doubt, go to urgent care. Stitches are most successful if you receive them at the time of the injury, and scarring and recovery times also decrease.

How to know if you need an X-ray:

Like stitches, it can be hard for a non-medical person to know if an X-ray of an injury is needed to diagnose a strain, sprain, or fracture. At BestMed Urgent Care our expert medical staff can assess the injury and make a recommendation about an X-ray. 

Common reasons to X-ray an injury include:

• You heard a snap or cracking sound.
• A combination of rest, ice, compression and elevation isn’t working.
• Movement is restricted.
• You experience numbness, tingling or significant swelling. 

How to stay safe through the holiday season:

Of course, it’s better to stay safe in the first place. Our health blog contains lots of guidance for how to stay healthy and safe here. But of course, accidents happen and that’s why there’s a BestMed Urgent Care near you. Find the closest location near you, here: https://www.bestmedclinics.com/ 

Medical Review: Frank Garber