Since March of this year the world has been going through a harrowing period as COVID-19 spread its way across the country and the globe. A constant stream of information has made it difficult to be certain of which is hype and which is legitimate information. This confusion is made even more difficult as experts postulate on the state of the pandemic, how long it will last, and the dangers involved. In the midst of all this information overload, new data suggests that the pandemic may have a new worrying element to it.

Children Are Carrying The Disease Without Symptoms

Recent research has revealed a trend in child patients that is leaving experts worried about the repercussions of reopening the schools. Studies have revealed that children who previously carried the disease are remaining capable of spreading the disease for far longer than previously expected. These children, some of which were asymptomatic (without symptoms) to begin with, are still shedding the virus three weeks later. Given that the present quarantine period is set at two weeks, this means that children in states where in-person school has resumed are returning to classes still capable of infecting their schoolmates.

What Does This Mean For Our Children And School?

Authorities are responding to this information in different ways, with New York City having opted to hold off in-person classes until October 1st from its initial Sept 20th start date. South Carolina, for its part, opted to maintain an in-person presence for schools, largely returning to a ‘business as usual’ approach. This means that there is a potential for children who are carrying the disease asymptomatically to put their classmates at risk of infection. Thankfully a provision has been included in the state guidelines that allow schools to offer their own virtual education program, though an initial in-person contact with the students is still required. It’s important that you research the rules and guidelines of your local school district to determine what options are available for your child. If you opt to have your child attend in-person classes be sure to emphasize the importance of social distancing, sanitation, and the proper use of masks during this time.

Should I Have My Child Tested For COVID?

While having your child tested regularly would be ideal until a proper vaccine is developed for COVID, present availability of testing kits makes this unfeasible. Instead it’s important that you limit their potential exposure and ensure they know how to be safe during the pandemic. If your child is beginning to reveal symptoms associated with COVID, including high fever or diarrhea, then it’s time to get them tested. If your child does contract the virus, speak with your physician about having an additional test done at the end of the quarantine period to ensure they’re no longer shedding the virus before returning them to school.

We here at MD First Primary and Urgent Care are dedicated to helping our family of patients remain safe during the Pandemic. If you’d like to educate yourself further on methods of preventing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting your family, call us or visit us today at our offices in Lancaster, SC.

Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and now TikTok have been changing the way that people connect, and information is communicated since their introduction. With all this innovation, however, comes a new risk. Fads used to be fairly local, and only the most pernicious managed to make their way onto the national or even global scene. Now fads can spread at the speed of social media and with them the so-called “challenges” that inspire people to do risky and sometimes outright dangerous things. The latest in the list of challenges that are spreading is the “Benadryl Challenges,” and it could be putting your children at risk.

What Are Challenges?

Challenges are some form of activity that viewers are encouraged to take part in, and in so doing, encourage others to try. Some are relatively harmless or even inspiring, such as food challenges, or makeup challenges, or even exercise challenges. Less benign are challenges that encourage people to do dangerous things, such as the “Tide Pod” challenge. This challenge dared viewers to bite open or even eat Tide detergent pods. Needless to say, the consequences of these types of challenges can be tragic, and parents should keep informed of them so they can talk to their kids about the dangers.

What Is The Benadryl Challenge?

This challenge, as the name suggests, is centered on the allergy medication known as Benadryl, or diphenhydramine. In addition to its intended use for the treatment of allergies, bug bites, rashes, and hives, it has other traits that only occur in high doses. These include altered mental states and hallucinations when taken in sufficient amounts, but these side-effects come with the risk of life-threatening symptoms. Given that the challenge encourages participants to take as many as twelve pills. This is double the maximum daily dosage for those under 12, and equal to that dosage for adults.

What Are The Risks?

The risks of this challenge come in the form of the side effects that come with overdosing. While altered mental states and hallucinations are the desired outcomes, they cannot be reached without putting oneself at risk of the other doses. These include increased heart rate, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, urinary retention, blurred vision, and high body temperature. The most serious potential repercussion is death from seizure, cardiac arrest, arrhythmia, or stroke. A desire to participate in the latest fad “challenge” could result in tragic consequences for the participant and their family.

What Can I Do?

The best step you as a parent can take is communicating with your children about the risks of this challenge. In the modern environment, there’s no meaningful way to keep your children from hearing about these types of challenges or consuming media that encourage them. While you can limit their exposure at home, internet access is available at schools, libraries, and of course, you can count on their friends sharing their newest favorite internet sensation. This means its essential that you stay abreast of these kinds of changes and establish an open-door policy for talking about them. Be sure to explain the potential repercussions of taking part in the challenge, and trust them to use that information effectively.

Looking for more information about this and other risks that face your children in today’s deeply connected world? Reach out to Dr. Amrendra Kumar or Kasey Hudson at MD First Primary & Urgent Care in Lancaster, SC. They can provide information on these and other social trends that may put your children at risk.

The recent outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, also known as COVID-19 or Coronavirus, has led to federal recommendations calling for social distancing practices as a way to slow the spread of the virus. Consequently, many medical offices are responding by offering video appointments to their patients. Known as telemedicine, this approach lets doctors provide care to their patients without the risk of spreading this highly-contagious virus. 

With telemedicine, instead of visiting your doctor’s office for an appointment, you simply login to a HIPAA-compliant platform for your video appointment. This allows you to see and speak with your doctor about your non-urgent medical concerns from the comfort of your own home. Not only does this protect you from unnecessary exposure, but it helps to alleviate the pressure on emergency rooms and urgent care clinics. With that being said, video appointments are intended for non-urgent medical concerns. If you are experiencing a possible health emergency, it is recommended to skip the video visit and call 911. 

The day of your appointment, it is recommended that you login about 10-20 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to make sure everything is working on your end. Although you don’t need to physically visit your doctor’s office, it is still recommended to treat the video appointment as you would an office visit. Therefore, you should jot down and questions or concerns you have for your doctor ahead of time. Additionally, you will want to have a list of your current medications handy as well. 

What Can Telemedicine Treat?

Depending on your medical condition, your video appointment will vary. Telemedicine works well to treat the following conditions: 

prescriptions over the phone
woman having a skin discoloration examined via telehealth appointment

What Happens During a Telemedicine Appointment?

As a general rule, you can expect to discuss the things that you would normally discuss during an in-office appointment such as chief complaints, medical history, symptoms you are experiencing, family history, medication review, allergies, and history of the illness (if chronic). Additionally, you can expect to perform a provider-directed self-examination. 

After your appointment, your doctor may prescribe certain medications to treat the diagnosis. This is especially common if you have an established relationship and/or a chronic health condition. In other cases, your doctor may direct you to come into the office for further examination or diagnostic tests. They may also provide you with other guidelines to follow in the meantime. 

How to Have a Good Appointment

While telemedicine offers a variety of benefits, it still has a few shortcomings. Therefore, here are a few tips to help you with your telemedicine appointment

Start Early

As mentioned before, it is a good idea to login about 10-20 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to make sure everything is working on your end. This also allows you to be ready for your appointment once your doctor is. 

Be Professional

Another way to benefit from your telemedicine appointment is to be professional. Basically, this just means that you will treat a video appointment like you would an office visit. This means getting dressed, and picking a quiet location to carry out your appointment free from distractions. 

Use Video

If you are faced with the decision  between using audio only or using video, it is recommended that you choose video. This is because the large amount of body language and facial expressions are lost with the visual component of communication. Simply stated, video appointments can make you feel more comfortable and help foster trust. 

Dr Kumar is a highly skilled physician dedicated to providing gentle and effective care to patients of all ages and medical conditions. He achieved his degree in a field that he is passionate about. He believes that excellent health begins with education and has made his mission to enlighten patients to ways they can take greater control over their health. Dr Kumar is committed to continuing education activities and remaining aware of the latest advancements in Medical Science to maintain current high standards of care.

As of January 22nd, 2020, there was only one reported case of COVID-19 in the United States. A week later there were 5 cases. A month later there were 15 cases. Then in the beginning of March the number of cases almost doubled overnight going from 30 reported cases on March 1st to 53 cases on March 2nd. By St. Patrick’s Day, this number had grown to 7038. As of March 30th, there are currently 163,539 cases of COVID-19 in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On March 31st, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) noted that there are a reported 1,083 cases in 42 counties of South Carolina. Currently Lancaster County has 15 confirmed cases of COVID-19. 

social distancing

As this pandemic continues, there has been talk about social distancing practices intended to flatten the curve. Yet, not everyone is adhering to social distancing guidelines. In fact, the lack of adherence to social distancing guidelines inspired Republican Gov. Henry McMaster’s decision to close access points to the state’s beaches, as well as public boat ramps and access points to rivers and lakes. Previously, the governor of South Carolina had made the decision to close dine-in restaurants and bars. However, he has yet to issue a stay-at-home order. As of March 30th, 30 states have issued stay-at-home orders, while another 4 states have ordered all non-essential businesses to close. 

Even without a statewide stay-at-home order, South Carolina residents are still adhering to The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America, which are based upon slowing the spread of the virus. In fact, slowing the spread or flattening the curve are two phrases that are being thrown around as the primary motivation for stay-at-home orders and the closing of public places. 

Using acquired knowledge about how pandemics function, health professionals and researchers agree that the best way to control the current situation is through nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), or community mitigation measures. NPIs are a set of guidelines that individuals and communities are recommended to follow in order to slow the spread of respiratory viruses in order to reduce the number and severity of cases. 

Until a vaccine is widely available, research has indicated that the best way to slow viral transmission from host to host is to reduce opportunities for exposure. Research also indicates that it can take up to 6 months to develop a safe pandemic vaccine. Therefore, NPIs are the best method for dealing with a pandemic caused by a novel virus. 

While NPIs like hand-washing and social distancing will not entirely stop the spread of virus, they do interrupt the natural way a viral outbreak occurs. When looking at the above diagram, you will notice that the red curve indicates rapid spreading of the virus that results in large amounts of the population all being infected around the same time. Conversely, the blue curve shows a slower spread of the virus with less people being infected. 

Additionally, it is important to note the dotted line in the middle, which indicates the available number of medical resources needed to treat the virus. As you can see, the red curve extends far beyond that dotted line. What this means is that only the infected individuals below the dotted line can be treated. Therefore, anyone above that line will not receive the treatment needed to recover. 

Conversely, looking at the blue curve, you will notice the curve does not cross the dotted line. This is because slowing the spread of the virus decreases the likelihood that the number of cases will peak all at once. Although there is still a peak, this peak lasts longer and is much lower than it would have been without practicing social distancing. 

1918 Spanish Flu

Still, some people may argue that coronavirus is simply like the flu and social distancing is an overreaction. However, one main difference between the two is that most people have partial immunity to the flu. This is not the case with COVID-19 since it is an entirely new virus. Therefore, the opportunity for people to become infected with the virus is much higher than that of the flu. 

Not only that, but there is historical evidence that shows social distancing works. In 1918 during the outbreak of the Spanish flu, two U.S cities responded very differently. The first city, Philadelphia, continued with business as usual and even carried out a parade with thousands of people in attendance. Unfortunately, this resulted in death from the Spanish flu 48-72 hours later. In total, the city lost 16,000 individuals in six months. 

Conversely, St. Louis implemented social distancing strategies, closed schools, and limited travel. Allow there were still deaths associated with the pandemic, St. Louis lost 2,000 individuals instead of 16,000. At that time, St. Louis was the fourth largest city in the United States, yet it had the lowest mortality rate for its size. 

While no one can accurately predict what will happen next, there are several hypotheses backed by medical and history evidence that suggest social distancing is a key way to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore to protect yourself and your family, stay home and stay safe. 

***If you believe you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, call us at (803)283-2300***

Dr Kumar is a highly skilled physician dedicated to providing gentle and effective care to patients of all ages and medical conditions. He achieved his degree in a field that he is passionate about. He believes that excellent health begins with education and has made his mission to enlighten patients to ways they can take greater control over their health. Dr Kumar is committed to continuing education activities and remaining aware of the latest advancements in Medical Science to maintain current high standards of care.

Along with the new decade came a new strain of the coronavirus that has sparked fear and worldwide panic. Originating in Wuhan, China, Coronavirus now has confirmed cases in 81 other countries, with 80 confirmed cases in the United States. As of March 4th, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 13 states including Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin have cases of Coronavirus. Currently, 9 people have died due to the virus. 

Coronaviruses were initially discovered by scientists around the 1960s. It earned its name from the crown shaped protrusions that cover its surface. There are seven strains of Coronavirus that affect humans, including:

SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus image provided by the CDC
SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus image provided by the CDC

Every year, people around the world are affected  by coronavirus 229E, NL63, OC43, and HKU1. In fact, these strains have affected almost every person during some point in their lifetime. The 229E, NL63, OC43, and HKU1 strains of coronavirus generally cause symptoms such as runny nose, headache, fever, sore throat, cough, and a general unwell feeling. More serious cases have also been known to develop into pneumonia or bronchitis. 

Animals such as cattle, camels, and bats are also susceptible to certain strains, and can even pass these strains to humans. In the past, this has occurred with SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. It is believed that this may also be the case for COVID-19. Research has suggested that the virus originated from bats, was spread to humans at a live animal market, and then continued to spread from person to person. The virus spreads through community spread, which means it tends to affect people in the same area. 

Woman coughing and holding her chest

Beyond the fact that COVID-19 affects people in the same area, it is known for sure how the virus spreads. However, other types of common human coronaviruses can be transmitted by air that has been infected with coughing or sneezing, close personal contact or touching, and touching an infected surface and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. 

Based on this, scientists believe the virus is spread through close contact and through respiratory droplets that contain the virus. They also believe that the virus is the most contagious when a person is actively experiencing symptoms, although it is possible to spread the virus without symptoms. The virus may also spread from touching infected surfaces and then your mouth, nose, or eyes. 

The CDC has noted that there is a high potential threat for both the United States and other countries. Currently, however, the virus is not considered to be rapidly spreading through the United States and the majority of the population will not be immediately exposed. Nevertheless, the virus will likely reach the level of global pandemic and the risk to the United States may change at any time.

As a precaution, the CDC recommends taking the following steps:

To stay up to date on the latest news regarding COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. They post regular updates about cases of COVID-19 in the United States Monday through Friday. 

Dr Kumar is a highly skilled physician dedicated to providing gentle and effective care to patients of all ages and medical conditions. He achieved his degree in a field that he is passionate about. He believes that excellent health begins with education and has made his mission to enlighten patients to ways they can take greater control over their health. Dr Kumar is committed to continuing education activities and remaining aware of the latest advancements in Medical Science to maintain current high standards of care.

If you’re employed in a position that is considered to be “safety-sensitive” by the Department of Transportation, you may be required to receive a DOT physical. People who work in these positions have been determined to have a job that can have a direct impact on their safety and potentially that of the public. Strict guidelines have been set by the FMCSA, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, to ensure that those in these jobs are able to perform these jobs safely. MD First Primary & Urgent Care has been providing DOT physicals to the Lancaster, SC community for years through appointments and walk-ins at the Urgent Care center.

What Is Required For My DOT Physical?

You should bring a list of your doctors’ names and office locations and the medications you are presently taking. Included should be the doses and how often you take them. You can save yourself some time by being sure to fill out a medical history before coming to the clinic for your physical. Some medical issues may require you to bring additional items and documents for the test. 

If you have a health condition not mentioned here or have additional questions, please call our clinic at 1-803-283-2300 for answers from our qualified medical staff.

What Is Covered During My DOT Physical?

Physician performing a physical

Your visit to our clinics for a DOT physical will involve tests covering a number of senses and health concerns. These will include the following:

In addition to these concerns, a broad range of concerns will be checked during the physical to ensure that the driver meets the minimal health requirements of the condition. These include:

These exams must be completed by a medical examiner who has an FMCSA certification. MD First Primary & Urgent Care has qualified staff members available to perform these tests and get you driving again in no time. Call 1-803-238-2300 for an appointment or drop by our clinic at 1130 Hwy 9 Bypass W in Lancaster, SC, to receive a physical today.

When an infection forms within the body in a confined space and the tissue around it becomes inflamed, it’s known as an abscess. While they can form anywhere, abscesses commonly form in the groin, breasts, buttocks, gums, and other areas of the body prone to minor trauma. Cellulitis can appear with an abscess or even appear before it. MD First Primary & Urgent Care can help diagnose, treat, and help you prevent abscesses at its Lancaster, SC location.

What Causes An Abscess?

There are multiple causes for abscesses, the most common being the presence of streptococcus and staphylococcus for the majority of instances. Enteric organisms are known to be involved in the formation of perianal abscesses, those that form in or around the anus. Abscesses in the oral cavity typically occur as a result of advanced periodontal disease caused by poor dental hygiene. When an abscess forms, it can create a significant risk for the patient along with causing pain, degrading bone, and otherwise resulting in lasting damage if left untreated.

An abscess present on a patient's ear

How Are Abscesses Treated?

The most common approach to abscess treatment is I&D, or incision and drainage. Antibiotic therapy and warm compresses can aid in the resolution of abscesses less than 5mm in size. Larger abscesses will require draining due to the presence of inflammation and pus in the cavity that forms in these cases. Less conservative measures typically aren’t as successful in treating cases of this type.

What Happens If The Abscess Remains Untreated?

There are two typical results in cases where an abscess remains untreated. In some cases, the abscess will remain deep within the body and reabsorb into the system. The other common possibility is that the epithelium will attenuate, resulting in the abscess rupturing at the surface of the skin and draining spontaneously. If this occurs and the abscess was quite large extensive sloughing of the skin can occur, resulting in large scars. Incising and draining the abscess helps to prevent its growth and speed the healing of the area where the abscess formed. 

What Should I Expect After An Incision & Drainage Procedure?

The procedure itself is relatively simple and risk-free, especially in cases where the abscess has been treated promptly. The most important post-treatment practice is watching the site closely until it is fully healed to ensure the infection doesn’t recur. If the patient is unable to change their own dressing due to capability or location, family, or other members of their support system must be taught to do so properly.

What Complications Can Occur as Part of an Incision & Drainage Treatment?

The most common problem that occurs as part of the treatment is discomfort due to insufficient or ineffective anesthesia. This can result in pain during the procedure, and for some patients, the incision may be tender following the treatment. Bleeding or scarring may occur, and if the area isn’t properly cared for risk of the abscess reforming exists. In rare cases, the area may become septic, the patient may contract necrotizing fasciitis or damage to the nerves, and blood vessels may occur. In most cases, the procedure has no complications, and the patient will heal well without recurrence of the abscess.

How Do I Care For The Incision & Drainage Site?

It is essential that you keep the area properly covered with an absorbent material after cleaning and drying the wound. Large abscesses may contain packed gauze, which should be removed every other day until the cavity has healed and no longer has space to be packed. If you do not feel you can do this process yourself, you will need to return to the facility as directed to have it done for you. The dressing should be replaced daily, and pain killers may be prescribed if necessary.

If you think you’ve found an abscess, then drop by our offices at 1130 Hwy 9 Bypass W in Lancaster, SC, or make an appointment by calling 1-803-283-2300. Our team of medical experts will be happy to help you resolve your concern and welcome you to our patient family.

X-rays are an essential diagnostic tool used by physicians to identify problems that are hidden from the naked eye. Before the invention of x-rays, it was necessary to palpate (feel with your hands) or perform surgery to determine what was going on with broken bones or sources of pain. Today x-rays make it possible to do all of this without having to make a single incision. X-rays are used in various ways depending on the type of procedure being performed and the kind of problem being sought.

Why Would My Doctor Order An X-Ray?

There are multiple reasons a physician might order an x-ray. The most common reasons are to discover the source of discomfort or pain, monitor the progress of a disease that has been diagnosed, or on the efficacy of prescribed treatment. The following conditions may need an x-ray to diagnose or observe:

  • Enlarged Heart
  • Breast Tumors
  • Lung Conditions
  • Digestive Problems
  • Infections
  • Bone Cancer
  • Fractures
  • Osteoporosis

What Do I Need To Prepare For An X-Ray?

X-rays are a very common procedure and are entirely routine. Extra steps generally aren’t needed to prepare for having one. Loose, comfortable clothing is often suggested dependent on what the x-ray is being done for. A hospital gown is often provided for the test, and jewelry and metallic items are often removed prior to the procedure being performed.

You should alert your physician to the presence of metal implants that you have from previous surgeries. While there’s no danger to having these implants, it can change how your radiologist performs the procedure to ensure they can see what they’re looking for. Some procedures will call for a contrast dye to be administered before you receive the X-Ray. These substances help to enhance the visibility of the images, especially when performed in soft-tissue areas like the gastrointestinal tract. If you need contrast, it will be delivered via injection, a pill, or as an enema. 

Fasting is sometimes necessary if you’re receiving a GI x-ray, or you may be prescribed laxatives.

How Are X-Rays Done?

You will be sent to see an x-ray technologist to perform the procedure. This specialist may be located in another clinic or may be found in the radiology department in the doctor’s office or hospital. You will be told to hold certain positions, including standing, lying down, or sitting with your arms outstretched or at your sides. You’ll be told precisely what to do during the procedure depends on the needs of your physician.

Physician holding an x-ray film

Are There Any Side-Effects To Receiving An X-Ray?

The level of radiation used to perform this procedure is so minimal there is little to no risk from receiving them for adults. While modern digital x-rays require almost no radiation at all, it is still common for physicians to avoid prescribing this procedure for pregnant mothers. It can be uncomfortable to receive an x-ray if you have any broken bones or tenderness that the physician is trying to observe. The most common side-effects from x-ray aren’t from the x-ray, but from the contrast dyes that are given when needed. Lightheadedness, hives, nausea, itching, or a strange metallic taste are common with contrasts. Severe reactions are possible, including low blood sugar, cardiac arrest, and anaphylactic shock, but are incredibly rare.

If you have more questions about receiving an x-ray and whether they’d be appropriate for your condition, give MD First Primary & Urgent Care a call. You can reach our office by dialing 1-803-283-2300 or by email through mdfpuc@mdfirsthealthcare.com. Once you have your questions answered, we can set up an appointment for you at our office at 1130 Hwy 9 Bypass W in Lancaster, SC, to get you the care you need.

If you’ve been experiencing the appearance of the unsightly growths known as skin tags or warts, you may be wondering what options exist to have them removed. Warts and skin tags can develop anywhere on the body, which can be problematic if they become large or form in areas that are particularly sensitive. The team at MD First Primary & Urgent Care has been helping patients in the Lancaster, SC area remove these often unsightly and embarrassing growths quickly and painlessly and are here to help you as well.

What Are Skin Tags?

Statistics suggest that skin tags occur in more than half the population at one point or another in their lives. Obese, middle-aged adults are the most likely to develop these tags, but it’s possible at any stage of life. Plump babies, in particular, may develop skin them. Skin tags are nothing more than a tiny bit of skin that projects from the surrounding skin, often appearing balloon-like. They are most common in places where friction occurs, such as skin folds or where clothing presses against the skin, such as the waistline. Below is a list of the most common sights for skin-tags:

Skin Tags on a patient's shoulder

What Are Warts?

Warts is the name given to a form of noncancerous growth that occurs when your skin becomes infected with HPV, the Human Papillomavirus. The presence of this virus stimulates the growth of additional cells, causing thickening and hardening of the skin. While it’s possible for warts to appear anywhere on the body, they are most commonly found on the feet and hands. There are multiple types of wart that vary in both appearance and location.

These are three of the types of warts you might encounter, and that our office treats.

How Are Warts and Skin Tags Removed?

While the particulars of how a wart or skin tag is removed vary with each instance, the same variety of procedures are typically used for both. When it comes time to have a wart or skin tag removed, one of the following procedures will be used:

If the skin tag is located on your eyelid or near your eye, then it will be necessary to see an ophthalmologist to have it removed. Most other forms of skin tags and warts can be removed by the team at MD First Primary & Urgent Care. Make an appointment to get our help with yours by calling 1-803-283-2300 today or come see us at 1130 Hwy 9 Bypass W in Lancaster, SW.

Burns and skin irritations can be relatively minor concerns, or they can be severe enough to be life-threatening. This is especially true of burns, which are both some of the most painful and difficult injuries a patient can face. Most minor burns and skin irritations can be safely treated at home, though some cases may require a trip to an urgent care medical facility. Burns that cover more than 10% of your body will require transfer to a burn clinic. MD First Primary & Urgent Care can provide care for minor burns and skin irritations at its 1130 Hwy 9 Bypass W location in Lancaster, SC.

How Will I Know If I Should Go To Urgent Care For My Burn?

It can be difficult to determine how deep a burn wound goes, so it’s often best to see a physician or call a clinic for advice for any burn. Some guidelines to follow regarding your need to seek medical attention are:

To be clear, you don’t need to be experiencing more than one of these conditions for a trip to the doctor’s office to be necessary. Even one of these is enough to get attention immediately. If you aren’t sure, then call our office at 1-803-238-2300 to speak to our medical staff.

Rash on patient's elbow

What About Skin Irritations?

In general, skin irritations are not an emergent or urgent situation, depending on their cause. If you’ve had a rash and it has continued to spread, get more severe, or is accompanied by pain or fever, you want to see a physician. Skin irritations caused by exposure to chemicals are also sufficient cause for you to come into urgent care or even emergency room as these can continue to cause damage even after exposure. Skin irritations can include ulcerations, scaling, and blister formation accompanied by itching, skin bumps, or discoloration of the skin.

At MD First Primary & Urgent Care, we see patients for conditions like these every day. If you have any questions about your rash, burn, or other skin irritations, call us immediately for an appointment. You can also visit our office in Lancaster, SC, for an assessment and consultation on the next steps for treating your condition.