You’re cutting veggies when all of a sudden, you slice into your finger. That’s going to need stitches. The question on your mind is if you should go to the ER with the issue or head to urgent care.
It depends on how deep the cut is. The ER handles immediate emergencies. Urgent care facilities are a little different.
You won’t be able to get in right away to see a doctor, but they’re a little more responsive than your average family clinic.
So, when should you go to urgent care? We’ve got the answer right here. Keep reading to learn if your finger cut can wait.
What is Urgent Care?
So, what is an urgent care clinic? Let’s say that you’re putting up Christmas lights when you fall off the roof. This is an injury that may warrant a trip to the ER.
Urgent care centers handle issues that are serious but can wait until morning. They’re available on weekends and holidays when your primary health physician may not be in their office.
You can go here to learn more about what to expect out of your appointment. For now, let’s move on and talk about why you may need to take advantage of one of these clinics.
Sprains or Fractures
You’re walking through your yard when you step in a hole. Your ankle bends the wrong way, snaps, and sends you tumbling to the ground.
Urgent care vs ER, which one should you rush to. The answer, in this case, is urgent care. Chances are, you only sprained the ankle. You didn’t break the bone.
Urgent care can fix the issue without you having to book a trip in the wee woo van.
Breathing Difficulties
If you’re experiencing chest pain and can’t seem to catch your breath, head to the hospital. If you’re having coughing fits and minor upper respiratory problems, you’re probably fine to wait until you can get to an urgent care clinic.
It’s most likely a simple case of strep throat. You don’t need to take that to the ER.
Testing
If you were at a party and came into contact with another person with an illness such as COVID, you’ll need to get tested to be on the safe side. This is true even if you’re not experiencing any symptoms of your own.
Urgent care centers have access to walk-in testing. This way, you won’t have to wait weeks to get a little peace of mind.
When Should You Go to Urgent Care for Your Medical Issues?
So, when should you go to urgent care? These are only a few things that warrant a visit. If you get a little finger cut while you’re cutting veggies, you can skip out on the ER trip as long as you’re not bleeding too much.
Rashes, infections, a severe sore throat, moderate back pain, small fractures, and the flu, don’t call for a ride in the ambulance. Save your money and visit an urgent care clinic instead.
Taking proper care of yourself will allow you to avoid a doctor visit altogether. Check out the Health section of our blog to learn how to stay well.
