Minor Burn Treatment at Urgent Care Centers Near Encinal, TX
Burns are common injuries, both at home and in the workplace. For instance, you might be scalded by a splash of hot coffee on your drive to work. Or perhaps you burned your hand when you tried to clean your glass cooktop before it fully cooled. Or maybe you simply enjoyed too much fun in the sun and are now paying the price. Regardless of the cause of your burn, you are likely in pain. But burns can vary widely in severity, and not all require emergency treatment.
VitalMed Urgent Care provides treatment for minor burns along with a full slate of other non-emergency urgent care services near Encinal, Texas. We know that it can be difficult to recognize the severity of a burn without the help of a medical professional. To help you determine where to seek burn treatment, our team offers the following information:
How to Recognize a Third-Degree Burn
The most serious type of burn, a third-degree burn fully penetrates the skin and damages the underlying muscles, fat, nerves and other tissues. The burned skin may be black and charred or white and leathery. As you might expect, the pain of a full-thickness burn can be excruciating, but keep in mind that nerve damage may produce a deceptive numbing effect. In either circumstance, however, a third-degree burn is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment at the nearest hospital ER.
How to Recognize a Second-Degree Burn
Less serious than a third-degree burn, a second-degree burn damages the thick, inner layer of skin. The burned skin may be shiny, moist and discolored (deep red to dark brown). In addition to moderate to severe pain, a partial-thickness burn can cause swelling and blistering. These symptoms warrant prompt burn treatment, which may include a prescription antibiotic ointment to help prevent infection. The burned skin should be covered with a clean bandage or non-stick gauze, which should be changed at least once daily. A second-degree burn can take up to several weeks to completely heal.
How to Recognize a First-Degree Burn
The least severe type of burn, a first-degree burn affects only the thin, outermost layer of skin. The burned skin may be red, tender and swollen. Most superficial burns heal within a week. In the meantime, it can be helpful to gently apply cool compresses or aloe vera gel to the burned skin and take an over-the-counter pain reliever as needed. As the burned skin heals, it may peel, flake or change color.
Unsure About the Severity of a Burn? We Can Help
Like many people, you might not realize that a burn is a dynamic injury, which means that lingering heat could continue to penetrate and damage the skin. For these reasons and others, it is best to seek professional medical attention for any burn.
Whether you need burn treatment or another type of non-emergency urgent care, the experienced and friendly team at VitalMed Urgent Care is available every day to provide the personalized healthcare services you deserve. Contact us today to learn more.
