Burns are very common injuries. They can happen in a split second and be very painful. During the winter, burn cases tend to increase and commonly occur from cooking or fire-related injuries. Burns can be jolting, however, depending on the severity, minor burns can usually be treated at home with the right care. Keep reading to learn more about how to determine whether your burn requires medical care. If you suffer a minor burn, AFC Urgent Care Edgewater is available 7 days a week to provide same-day care for minor burns. We never require that you schedule an appointment to receive prompt care, simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you!
When Does a Burn Require Medical Care?
Burns can be classified according to the severity of the injury and the cause. The location of the burn on your body and how the burn occurred as well as how large the burn is will determine whether you should seek urgent medical care for your burn. Burns can be broken down into three categories: first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree burns. First-degree burns are the only level of burn that can be treated at home. An example of a first-degree burn is a mild to moderate sunburn.
A burn that is more severe than a first-degree burn affects multiple layers of the skin and requires further treatment. Signs that your burn is more severe than a first-degree burn include blistering at the burn site, a burn that is larger than 3 inches, or a burn that was caused by a chemical.
How To Treat Minor Burns
If you’re treating a burn at home, there are some steps that you should follow to avoid infection. Infection can cause complications during the healing process and lead to scarring. The first step to treating a burn is to immediately run the affected area under cool water. This will help stop the burn from progressing and relieve some of the immediate pain. Then, apply a medicated healing ointment such as Neosporin to protect the wound from debris and keep it hydrated. Cover the burn for the first day or two, then let it heal uncovered. It is important to monitor for signs of infection including redness around the injury, discharge from the burn site, or a fever.
When to Seek Medical Care for a Burn
While minor burns can be treated at home, burns more severe than a first-degree burn should be treated by a medical professional. If your burn is blistering, larger than three inches, or on a sensitive area such as over a joint or on the face, you should seek medical care. Burns are very prone to infection and can be difficult to heal depending on where on the body they are. Seeking medical care will help manage pain and prevent infection. Extremely severe burns should be seen by a burn specialist in the emergency room.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Edgewater for Minor Burn Treatment in Edgewater, MD
Burns are very common injuries. At AFC Edgewater, our walk-in clinic offers minor burn care for patients of all ages. Our clinic is open 7 days a week and conveniently located for patients in Edgewater and Annapolis, MD. We never require that you schedule an appointment, simply walk in when it’s convenient. We work with most medical insurance providers and offer competitive rates for our care. Walk into the clinic today!
