Wound Care

In 2009, injuries caused by cuts or piercing of the skin were the fifth most common reason for emergency room visits by Florida residents. Teens and adults aged 25-34 accounted for the majority of those injured. ⁽¹⁾ Treating a wound quickly helps prevent infection. However, some wounds may not heal properly without medical treatment.

Minor cuts and scrapes do well with home treatment. To properly care for a wound, apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Wash the wound thoroughly, and cover it with a sterile dressing to prevent infection. Patients with any type of wound need to receive a tetanus shot if it has been more than five years since their last injection. ⁽²⁾

Unfortunately, scheduling a wound to happen when it’s convenient isn’t possible, which is why Gardens Urgent Care’s walk in clinic is open seven days a week, including evenings, weekends and holidays. Patients often suffer an injury or accident in the evening or on weekends. This may explain why about 10 percent of all emergency room visits in the United States are for wound care. ⁽³⁾ However, emergency room wait times can be very long and many wounds are not life-threatening or require treatment in a hospital emergency room. Our caring staff will examine your wound and provide appropriate urgent care. You won't even need to make an appointment. Just stop by our walk in clinic for treatment of:

• Bite wounds (caused by either an animal or person)
• Cuts larger than one-fourth inch, or any cut on the face
• Puncture wounds or cuts from a dirty or rusty item
• Wounds with a jagged edge
• Infected wounds (may feel warm, appear red, throb with pain or ooze)
• Wounds with embedded debris
• Wounds that continue to bleed with direct pressure

Lab tests may be needed to be sure a wound is not infected. Our medical professionals can close a large wound, a wound with jagged edges or a wound that won't close properly using stitches or stitch adhesive. Stitching a wound closed helps it heal properly.

In diabetics, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, wounds must be treated carefully to prevent infection. Wounds in people with poor circulation heal very slowly. Wounds in people who smoke may also take longer to heal. ⁽⁴⁾

Gardens Urgent Care provides wound care to patients all over Palm Beach County, including the cities of Greenacres, Jupiter, Lake Worth, North Palm Beach, Royal Palm Beach, Wellington and West Palm Beach, from two convenient locations