Tips

PREMIER Urgent Care wants you to be safe and healthy.

Below are some helpful tips to help you recognize common symptoms and stay well when medical services may not be necessary. However, you are always welcome to visit any of our seven convenient locations to consult a doctor for piece of mind.

These tips are meant to be general guidelines and should not replace the advice of an authorized medical provider.

Cold vs. Flu

Symptoms	Cold	Flu
Fever	Rare occurance	Usually present
Aches	Slight aches and pains	Severe aches and pains
Chills	Rare	Common
Tiredness	Slight to moderate	Moderate to severe
Onset	Over a few days	Sudden
Coughing	Mucus-producing	Dry, no mucus
Sneezing	Common	Not typical
Stuffy Nose	Common	Not typical
Headache	Common	Common

Prevention:

• Wash your hands
• Use a tissue
• Sneeze and cough into your elbow
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Exercise regularly
• Eat healthy
• Get fresh air
• Get appropriate amounts of sleep
• Cut alcohol consumption
• Don't smoke

Sunburn

Sunburn is a burn to the skin produced by overexposure to the sun's rays. Sunburn can cause premature aging and increases your risk of skin cancer. Severe sunburn requires medical attention.

Symptoms:

• Skin that is tight, red and painful
• Swollen skin
• Blisters
• Fevers and chills

Prevention:

• Avoid the sun between the hours of 10am and 3pm, when the sun is at its strongest.
• Wear proper attire, such as a brimmed hat, sunglasses, and light, breathable fabrics
• Use a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF, even on overcast days. Apply at least 20 minutes before heading outdoors, and re-apply every few hours and immediately after swimming or sweating.

Poison Ivy

The poison ivy plant contains oil called "urushiol." When your skin comes in contact with this, it "bonds" to your skin and can cause irritation. Poison ivy can be contracted by:

• Touching the poison ivy plant
• Touching clothing, objects, or pets that have come in contact with the plant
• Smoke from a burning poison ivy plant

Symptoms:

• Within 1 to 2 days, a rash appears.
• Within 2 to 3 days, small blisters begin to form, usually causing the area to itch. Be cautious; bacteria under your nails can get into the blisters, causing infection.

See a doctor if:

• You experience a fever over 100 degrees
• The rash covers a large area of your body
• The rash is near your mouth, eyes or genital area
• Pus is coming from the blisters
• After a few days, the rash does not get better

Bites & Stings

The symptoms of insect bites and stings vary depending on the severity of the body's reaction to the insect's venom. Most reactions are mild, with a slightly annoying itching or stinging sensation and slight swelling. Those that are severe should be treated immediately.

Treatment (if mild):

• Move away from any dangerous area to avoid additional bites or stings.
• To reduce pain and swelling, apply a cold pack or cloth filled with ice.
• Apply a 1% or 0.5% hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion, or a baking soda paste to the bite or sting several times a day.
• Refrain from scratching, which can lead to infection.

Treatment (if severe):

• Check for special medications that the affected person might be carrying to treat an allergic attack, such as an EpiPen, and administer as directed.
• If possible, have the person take an over-the-counter antihistamine pill, as directed on the bottle.
• Have the person lie still on their back, with feet held above heart level.
• Do not offer anything to drink.
• Loosen tight clothing. Cover the person with a blanket.
• If there is vomiting, turn the person to the side to prevent choking.
• If there are no signs of breathing, or if there is evidence of significant difficulty breathing, such as wheezing or swelling of lips, or tongue, call 911 or get immediate medical help.

Cuts & Scrapes

While minor cuts and scrapes don't always require professional medical treatment, it is important to use proper care to avoid infections or other complications.

Treatment:

• Stop the Bleeding. If the wound doesn't stop bleeding on its own, apply continuous, gentle pressure with a clean bandage for 20 to 30 minutes. If the bleeding continues, seek immediate medical treatment.
• Clean the wound. Rinse the wound with clean water. Avoid using soap, as it may irritate the wound. If there is dirt or debris embedded in the wound after washing, visit a provider at MedExpress, who can properly attend to the cleaning. Thorough wound cleaning reduces risk of infection and tetanus.
• Apply an antibiotic. Once the wound is clean, apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment or cream. This keeps the surface moist, reduces risk of infection, and aids your body in healing more efficiently.
• Cover the wound. A bandage helps keep fresh wounds clean and bacteria-free. Once it begins to heal, exposing the wound to air speeds up the healing process.
• Check dressing and watch for infection. Change the bandage daily, or if it gets dirty or wet. If you notice the wound isn't healing, or if there is increased pain, drainage, warmth, or swelling, visit MedExpress to have a medical provider treat the wound.

If it has been more than five years since you received a tetanus shot and the wound is dirty, seek treatment to have your vaccination updated. Remember that your tetanus immunization should be updated every ten years.

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