Skin abrasions, tears, and lacerations
If a laceration, skin abrasion or cut, bleeds a great deal with no sign of stopping, it needs to be closed with stitches. You may also need stitches to keep the wound from becoming infected and to reduce the scarring that may develop after it has healed. Skin abrasion where the upper layer of the skin, called the epidermis, gets damaged usually causes reddishness of the skin, but there may be slight bleeding as well. At times, deep cuts result in tissue scarring.
Skin Rashes (Shingles, Contact Dermatitis)
Shingles is a skin rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. This virus, called the Varicella zoster virus (VZV), is in the Herpes family of viruses. After an individual has chickenpox, this virus lives in the nervous system and is never fully cleared from the body. Under certain circumstances, such as emotional stress, immune deficiency (from AIDS or chemotherapy), or with cancer, the virus reactivates and causes shingles. Anyone who has ever had chickenpox is at risk for the development of shingles, although it occurs most commonly in people over the age of 60. It has been estimated that up to 1,000,000 cases of shingles occur each year in the U.S.
Contact Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin. Contact dermatitis is a localized rash or irritation of the skin caused by contact with a foreign substance. Substances that cause contact dermatitis in many people include "poisonous" plants such as poison ivy, certain foods, some metals, cleaning solutions, detergents, cosmetics, perfumes, industrial chemicals, and latex rubber.
Upper Respiratory infection
Acute upper respiratory tract infections include rhino-sinusitis (common cold), sinusitis, pharyngitis/tonsillitis, ear infection, laryngitis and sometimes bronchitis. Symptoms of URTI's commonly include cough, sore throat, running nose, blocked nose, phlegm, headache, fever, facial pressure and sneezing. Symptoms usually begin after 1 to 3 days after exposure to a microbial pathogen, most commonly a virus. Symptoms typically last 7 to 10 days but may persist longer. Up to 15% of acute pharyngitis cases may be caused by bacteria, commonly Group A streptococcus in Streptococcal pharyngitis ("Strep Throat"). Generally, patients with strep throat start with a sore throat as their first symptom and usually do not have runny nose or cough or sneezing. Pain and pressure of the ear caused by a middle ear infection (Otitis media) and the reddening of the eye caused by Viral Conjunctivitis are often associated with upper respiratory infections. Influenza (the flu) is a more systemic illness that can also involve the upper respiratory tract.
Cough, sore throat, ear pain
A throat infection or a sore throat that is serious not only brings with it nasty cough, but an ear infection as well. This causes the ear to ache and itch. The causes of these symptoms vary and thus treatment depends on the type of infection.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A urinary tract infection is an infection that begins in your urinary system. Your urinary system is composed of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Any part of your urinary system can become infected, but most infections involve the lower urinary tract— the urethra and the bladder. Women are at greater risk of developing a urinary tract infection. A urinary tract infection limited to your bladder can be painful and annoying. However, serious consequences can occur if a urinary tract infection spreads to your kidneys. Antibiotics are the typical treatment for a urinary tract infection. But you can take steps to reduce your chance of getting a urinary tract infection in the first place.
For more information about Anchor Urgent Care Centers, please call one of our two convenient Anchor Health Center Urgent Care Walk In Clinics:
- Urgent Care North at (239) 596-9482
- Urgent Care South East at (239) 403-6350