Burns, Cuts and Sutures

Burns

Burns can occur from fire, radiation, sunlight, electricity, chemicals, or hot water. The severity of your burn may mean you need to seek immediate medical attention.

There are 3 degrees of burns:

First-Degree Burns
The least serious burns are those in which only the outer layer of skin is burned, but not all the way through.

Symptoms:

  • Red and Painful
  • Minor Swelling
  • Turn white when you press on skin
  • Skin peeling typically occurs within the first two days
  • Heals in 3 to 6 days
Second-Degree Burns
When the first layer of skin has been burned through and the second layer of skin (dermis) also is burned, the injury is called a second-degree burn.

Symptoms:

  • Very painful
  • Typically produce blisters on the skin
  • Very red or splotchy skin
  • Skin may be very swollen
  • Heals in 2 to 3 weeks
Third-Degree Burns
The most serious burns involve all layers of the skin and cause permanent tissue damage. Fat, muscle and even bone may be affected.

Symptoms:

  • Skin looks white or charred
  • Little or no pain because nerves and tissue are damaged
  • Damages all layers of the skin
  • Takes a long time to heal

Visit Family First Urgent Care When:

  • A first- or second-degree burn covers an area larger than 2 to 3 inches in diameter.
  • The burn is on your face, over a major joint (such as the knee or shoulder), on the hands, feet or genitals.

Visit your local emergency room when:

  • The burn is a third-degree burn, which requires immediate medical attention.

Cuts and Sutures

It’s not always easy to tell if a cut requires stitches. Come to Family First Urgent Care and we will determine if you need stitches. You should seek medical care for any cut that:

  • Is deep, jagged, or gaping
  • Is on the face or another part of the body where scarring may be an issue
  • Bleeds profusely, without stopping, after 20 minutes of direct pressure
  • Feels numb

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