When you are injured or sick, it may get to a point where you need to seek medical care on short notice. A common misconception is that the emergency room is the only place to go when an injury or illness occurs. That is not always the best option as some cases can be treated at an urgent care facility. It is important to search for urgent care near me so you are prepared when you need immediate care. 

When to Visit the Emergency Room

The emergency room can be a scary place for some people. So much so that they avoid it at all costs. However, there may come a time when you will need to visit an emergency room. There are certain things you should consider when deciding whether or not to visit an emergency room, such as:

• Head trauma
• Respiratory disease or failure
• Cardiac failure or disease
• Heavy or excessive bleeding

Some other reasons you may need to visit an emergency room are:

• Seizures
• Severe pains
• Poisoning
• Snake bites
• Severe burns

Determining whether or not to go to the emergency room will depend on the severity of your injuries.

When to Visit an Urgent Care Center

Most urgent care facilities provide similar kinds of treatment that you would get at a local hospital. They provide diagnostic testing and treatment often at a lower price and with shorter wait times. Some of the most common conditions that can be treated at an urgent care facility are:

• Small cuts requiring stitches
• Animal bites and stings
• Broken bones
• Rashes or skin conditions
• Common illnesses including ear infections, sinus infections, pink eye, the flu, strep throat, and others
• Allergic reactions
• Minor aches, pains, and fractures
• Nausea
• Mild fever

These are a few examples of cases that may not require a full-blown emergency room visit but still require immediate attention. It is important to look for urgent care near me to know your options. You may be able to contact them ahead of time to know what the wait times are and the services they offer. 

Non-Life Threatening Injuries

A non-life-threatening injury is essentially an injury that does not put your life in danger. It’s as simple as the name suggests. If you suffer from an injury that puts your life in immediate danger such as a gunshot wound or severe head trauma, you will need an emergency room. These kinds of injuries can change a person’s life forever and will often require follow-up care and visits. On the other hand, a non-life-threatening injury will not likely have a long-term impact on your life when properly treated. These injuries typically are resolved during your visit with minimal follow-up care once you find an urgent care near me.  

Urgent Care Near Me

Scheduling an appointment with your primary care physician can be difficult to do on the same day or in the middle of the night. There may be times when you cannot wait for treatment as it could lead to complications. An emergency room can be costly and have extremely long wait times. It would be smart to find an urgent care location near me for when the need arises. You can contact UrgentMED for help finding your nearest urgent care location.