Open wounds and injuries can range from minor scrapes and cuts to more severe lacerations and punctures. These require immediate medical attention to prevent complications and promote optimal healing. It's important to distinguish when home treatment is sufficient and when you should visit Quality Urgent Care in Riverview for professional medical care. Deep or large wounds: If the wound is deep, especially if it's more than half an inch deep or if you can see fat or muscle, it's crucial to visit us right away. These wounds have a high risk of infection and could potentially damage nerves, muscles, or bones. Wounds larger than a few centimeters should also be evaluated by our healthcare professionals to prevent infection and ensure proper closure. Injury to critical structures: Injuries to the face, genitals, or any wound near a bone should be evaluated by our medical team. If the wound affects tendons, muscles, nerves, or bones, immediate medical attention is vital to minimize damage and restore function. Excessive bleeding: If the injury is bleeding excessively or the bleeding doesn't stop after 10 to 20 minutes of direct pressure, please head to Quality Urgent Care in Riverview immediately. Our medical team may need to stitch the wound for closure. Puncture wounds or wounds caused by a dirty or rusty object: Such wounds can carry bacteria leading to severe infections such as tetanus or rabies. Even small puncture wounds can harbor bacteria causing serious infections. Seek medical attention for any puncture wound, especially if it is deep or caused by a contaminated object. Animal or human bites: Bites can introduce bacteria and viruses that can lead to significant infections. Seek medical attention for any bite wound, regardless of its size or location. Signs of infection: Redness, increased pain, swelling, pus, and fever are all signs of an infection that require antibiotic treatment. If you have a fever, it's a sign that the infection could be spreading to the rest of your body. Burns: Severe burns, especially third-degree burns, require immediate medical intervention to prevent infection and promote healing. At Quality Urgent Care in Riverview, we believe that early intervention can significantly improve the outcome of any wound or injury. We serve patients from Riverview FL, Bloomingdale FL, Brandon FL, East Tampa FL, Valrico FL, Durant FL, and Surrounding Areas!