Treating Wounds and Everyday Injuries: When to See Your Primary Care Provider

Minor injuries such as cuts, burns, and sprains are part of life. Whether your child comes home with a scraped knee or you twist your ankle during a workout, you can probably manage most of these injuries at home. 

However, what seems minor at first can turn into something more serious. Knowing when it’s appropriate to manage an injury yourself and when to schedule an appointment with your doctor can prevent complications, reduce your risk of infection, and support faster healing. 

At MS Family Medicine Health Care, PC, in Mineola, New York, Dr. Michele Reed and our team explain how to care for your minor wounds at home, warning signs to watch for, and when it’s time to come in and see us.

Everyday injuries you can treat at home

Injuries occur all the time, and many respond well to simple at-home care. Common minor injuries include:

• Shallow cuts and scrapes
• Minor burns
• Mild sprains and strains
• Small splinters
• Bumps and bruises

With proper first aid, these minor injuries usually improve within several days. 

Treating wounds and injuries at home

Minor wounds and injuries still require proper care to heal well. Treatment depends on the type of injury, but may include:

• Rinsing under cool running water
• Gently removing debris
• Applying steady pressure to stop bleeding
• Using an antiseptic on open wounds
• Covering the wound with a clean bandage

For injuries like sprains or strains, rest the area and apply ice for 15 minutes. Wrap the injured area with a bandage to reduce pain and elevate your injured body part above heart level to minimize swelling. 

After providing first aid, monitor your injury closely. Minor wounds take about a week to heal. Keep the area clean and watch for any changes.

Signs you need to see your primary care provider

If you’re unsure about an injury, it’s always appropriate to seek medical advice. There’s never a wrong time to ask for expert help.

Certain signs and symptoms suggest an injury may be more serious and require medical evaluation, including:

• Nonstop bleeding after applying pressure
• A deep or gaping wound
• Numbness or loss of movement 
• Injury caused by a dog or human bite
• A large burn that affects your face, hands, or feet

If you’ve been treating an injury at home and develop redness, swelling, or a fever, you may have an infection and need prompt medical attention. 

We also recommend coming in if it’s been five or more years since your last tetanus shot. A deep or dirty wound increases your risk of infection from tetanus bacteria (Clostridium tetani), and staying up-to-date on your vaccine helps prevent this serious but preventable infection.

How primary care can help

Our family medicine experts provide comprehensive care for wounds and everyday injuries. While treatment is often similar to at-home care, we can thoroughly clean, assess, and cover your wounds. 

We can also close open wounds with stitches, medical glue, or adhesive strips. We may prescribe an antibiotic if we have concerns of an infection, especially for bite injuries.

The goal of primary care treatment for wounds and injuries is to prevent complications, reduce scarring, and ensure proper healing. If you have a wound or injury that requires medical attention, call us today or request an appointment online anytime.