When we think of summer, we tend to linger on the expectation of warm sun, cookouts, and flip-flops. However, there’s a lining to those cloud-free days: injuries galore. Summer is often the time for injuries because people are more active, and more likely to come into contact with things like hot BBQs, fireworks, glass-on-the-beach, and more.
For those who do get hurt this summer, the first instinct might be to cart the injured person over to the emergency room. However, there’s another option that makes a lot more sense for injuries that aren’t life threatening, and that’s urgent care facilities. What’s the difference? Emergency rooms are intended to be treatment areas for true emergencies. Urgent medical cares are, conversely, intended to treat a wider range of maladies.
For this reason, when the issue involves needing a few stitches, or treatment for a more minor burn, medical urgent care clinics might be the right choice. On average, they are more affordable and quicker than ERs for these types of health issues.
What can an urgent care potentially help you with this summer? Here are three injuries they often treat.
1. BBQ Burns
Did you know that there are over 8,000 fires as the result of burns each year in the U.S. — and that the number of burns and issues with smoke inhalation far exceeds this? Keep grills in well-ventilated areas, and hold back on throwing gasoline onto the grill. Minor burns can be held under cold water for 15 minutes to reduce the swelling.
2. Lawn Mower Will Get You
Almost 100,000 Americans go to the hospital thanks to the lawnmower each year. In most cases, it’s not the blades, but rocks and sticks that get thrown up by them. For this reason, it’s a good idea to wear protective clothing and gear — sunglasses are a good idea, as is hearing protection. Doctors at an urgent care facility can help with deeper cuts and contusions.
3. Dehydration
It’s easy to forget, in the heat and sun, that your body is often losing fluids fairly quickly. If you don’t stay hydrated, you might begin to feel faint and sluggish. Mild dehydration can be improved with drinking more water; for severe dehydration, you might need to receive intravenous fluids.
Would you visit an urgent care facility? Let us know in the comments. This is a great source for more: doctorsexpressnewark.com