Should I Get an Over-the-Counter Pink Eye Drop Instead of Seeing a Doctor?

Some over-the-counter eye drops may help ease your symptoms. However, you should see a healthcare provider to determine the root cause of the symptoms, some of which can be serious infections that can threaten your vision.

What Are the Health Complications of Pink Eye?

Usually, pink eyes do not cause long-term complications. In rare cases, however, it can lead to chronic cornea inflammation, causing permanent vision problems. You should see an eye care specialist if your pink eye does not resolve or gets worse even after the treatment.

Can I Go to School or Work with a Pink Eye?

No! You should not go to school or work until your pink eye symptoms subside; viruses that are a common cause of pink eye are highly contagious.

How Can I Stop the Spread of Pink Eye?

Follow these to prevent the spread of pink eye: 1. Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes 2. Do not share cosmetics, eye care items, towels, pillows, contact lenses, and eyeglasses 3 . Wash your hands thoroughly before and after touching your eyes 4. Do not wear eye makeup 5. Use a clean towel and washcloth daily

How Can I Manage the Discomfort from Pink Eye?

To manage your discomfort, you should: 1. Use a cold compress or artificial tears to soothe the dryness and inflammation 2. Stop wearing contact lenses until the infection is gone

First & Second Degree Burn Treatment

Get Immediate Walk-In Care for a First- or Second-Degree Burn

Burn injuries are common in the U.S., whether from contact with flames, hot objects, hot water, or steam. Not only are they painful, but they can also expose you to infection and serious complications if not treated in time.

Mild superficial burns are safe to manage with first aid at home, but deeper or serious wounds often require medical attention.

Are you or your child dealing with a first- or second-degree burn? Our walk-in Family Care Centers in Irvine, or Costa Mesa, CA, have qualified, compassionate urgent care providers to quickly ease your pain.

Our doctors will immediately examine your skin to determine the severity of your burn injury.

Highlights of Our Urgent Care Facilities

Open every day with extended hours
Board-certified, well-trained, and experienced providers
Walk-ins are welcome, and online check-in available
Friendly and compassionate staff
On-site X-ray and lab facilities
Free parking

Reserve Your Spot Online!

The Kinds of Burns We Handle

In the kitchen, hot liquids and steam can scald the skin, and contact with hot objects like metal or even overexposure to the sun can burn the skin directly.

First Degree Burns
A first-degree burn, such as mild sunburn, is a superficial, non-blistering injury on the outermost skin layer. The tender and slightly reddened skin may take up to three to six days to heal.
Second Degree (Partial Thickness) Burns
These are moderate injuries that penetrate the two outermost layers of the skin. They cause pain, blisters, and sometimes puffiness, such as a moderate scald burn. These wounds can take 7 to 21 days to heal, and may leave some scarring.

Anything deeper affecting underlying muscle or fat layers counts as a severe burn, and needs immediate assessment in an emergency room.

The most important thing to do after experiencing a mild or moderate burn is to apply a cold compress to the burn site to ease the pain. When you visit us for first or second-degree burn treatment, we will first remove any clothing from the wound and clean the area. We will then apply an antibiotic ointment and a protective gauze over the burn site to prevent infection.

Our providers may prescribe pain and anti-inflammatory medication to control the discomfort and swelling. We may also give you a tetanus shot for your burn if you haven’t had one in the last five years. If you have clothing stuck on the burn site or the injury involves critical parts of the body, we can refer you immediately to the ER.

When Do You Need to Visit an ER?

Factors that determine whether you need to visit an ER for your burn injuries include:

Your age and vulnerability: The severity of burn injury and risk of developing complications is higher in older patients (70 years and above), children less than five years, and individuals with chronic conditions.
Burn site: Extensive burns on critical parts of the body, including genitalia, face, hands, feet, and chest often require specialized treatment in the ER or burn centers. These injuries can cause life-threatening problems like severe blood loss or breathing difficulties.
Injury depth: Third-degree burns are severe enough to destroy all skin tissue around the site. The burn wounds may not hurt (the nerve endings have been destroyed), but they require specialized ER care.
Injury size: Visit the ER if your burn injuries cover more than 10% of your skin, even if they seem superficial.
Burn cause: Burns caused by chemicals, electricity, or radiation are generally considered severe.

You can use the palm method to estimate the size of your burn injury. The surface area of the palm of your hand, including your fingers, is 1% of your entire skin’s surface area. If it takes more than 10 palms to cover the burned areas, then more than 10% of your skin area is affected and you should visit an ER right away.

Home vs. Urgent Care vs. Emergency Room for Burns

You may self-administer first-degree burn treatment at home with cooling, cleansing, and antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. If you have any doubts about the severity of your injury or you have second-degree burns (blistering), it’s best to seek out “urgent care for burns near me” for immediate help. Also, visit an urgent care clinic for second-degree burn treatment if you experience infection symptoms, such as fever, persistent pain, swelling around the burn site, and pus-like discharge.

Third-degree burns often require complicated interventions, such as surgery and grafting. Go directly to an ER for better medical and cosmetic results if your burn injuries are this severe or extensive.

FAQs

Yes, urgent care can treat first and second-degree burns (redness and blistering). These burns are typically managed with proper cleaning, dressing, and pain relief. However, if the burn is particularly severe or affects sensitive areas like the face or hands, a referral to a hospital or specialist may be necessary for further treatment.

Urgent care is suitable for treating minor to moderate burns, such as first-degree burns or second-degree burns that are not extensive or severe. If the burn covers a large area, is deep, or affects delicate regions like the face, hands, or feet, it is better to visit the emergency room for immediate care.

A burn may need medical attention if it is deep, large, or affects sensitive areas of the body. Other signs include blisters, charred skin, or symptoms of infection such as swelling, redness, or pus. If you experience severe pain or difficulty breathing, or if the burn shows no signs of improvement, seek medical help promptly.

No referral or appointment is needed to receive treatment for a burn at urgent care. You can simply walk in, and our team will assess the burn and begin treatment right away. For more serious burns, we may refer you to a specialist or emergency room if needed.

The first step after getting a burn is to cool the area with running cool water for at least 10-20 minutes. Avoid using ice, which could cause further damage. Remove any tight clothing or jewelry around the burn but do not remove clothing stuck to the wound. Once cooled, cover the burn with a clean bandage and seek medical attention if the burn is severe or if you are uncertain how to proceed.

Urgent care can provide pain relief through over-the-counter medications or prescriptions, along with proper dressing to prevent infection and promote healing. The treatment will depend on the burn's severity, and if necessary, additional measures will be taken to ensure your comfort and recovery.

First-degree burns typically heal in about 3-5 days, while second-degree burns may take 2-3 weeks, depending on the severity and care provided. Healing times can vary, with factors like burn size and depth playing a role in recovery.

Yes, children with minor to moderate burns can be treated at urgent care. However, for severe burns or those involving sensitive areas, such as the face or airways, children may need specialized care at a hospital. It’s always best to seek professional care, especially for burns affecting young children.

Burn treatments are typically covered by most insurance plans at urgent care centers. To confirm coverage, it's recommended to check with your insurance provider for specific details, including co-pays and potential out-of-pocket costs for burn treatment.

After a burn, signs of infection to watch for include increased redness or swelling, pus or drainage, fever, or a foul odor. If you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to seek medical attention promptly to avoid complications.

Receive Best-in-Class First & Second Degree Burn Treatment at FCCMG

Visit Our Urgent Care Clinic for First & Second Degree Burn

Looking for a well-equipped and convenient First & Second Degree Burn treatment? Visit us at FCCMG in Irvine Woodbridge, or Costa Mesa, CA, today.