An ER near you such as Express ER in Waco is fully equipped to handle a wide range of medical emergencies ranging from simple cuts and lacerations to migraine headaches and chest pains. But there are a few guidelines that you should be aware of when it comes to treating those minor cuts.
At-Home Treatment for Minor Cuts
The first thing you should do is to try to stop the bleeding by applying direct pressure to the area. If the bleeding can’t be stopped after 10 minutes of pressure, or if blood is spurting from the wound, immediate medical attention is required. It’s always recommended that you perform a search for a “Waco emergency room near me” before actually needing one. That way, you’ll be prepared in advance of having to search for one when you’re also dealing with uncontrolled bleeding.
If the Bleeding Has Stopped
If the bleeding has stopped and you don’t need to seek urgent care in Waco, your next step is to gently clean the cut or laceration with warm water and a very mild soap. Try to steer clear of soaps that are heavily fragranced or contain lotions since they are not preferred in a situation such as this. Once you’ve cleaned the wound, apply antibiotic ointment to the area to help reduce the chance of infection. Make sure to cover the treated wound area with a sterile bandage.
Signs of Infection are a Warning Sign for Urgent Care in Waco
If you’ve managed to stop the bleeding of your wound and taken the steps previously mentioned to treat and bandage it, but you start to notice redness, swelling, heat, or pus from the area, there’s a good chance the wound has become infected. That’s another signal to seek emergency care in Waco.
Closing Thoughts of When to Seek Medical Treatment
Keep in mind that if the wound has stopped bleeding and you’ve been able to cover it with antibiotic ointment and a sterile bandage, there may still be cause to seek medical attention. Some of these include whether or not you were able to truly get the wound clean, whether or not the wound is located over a joint area, and whether or not the wound was inflicted from an animal or human bite. In situations such as these, it’s receommended that you contact a health care provider such as Express ER for follow-up treatment since residual complications may occur without medical intervention.
