It happens: scratches, scrapes and punctures — pain, bleeding and the risk of infection.

But knowing how to treat an open wound can make the difference between a minor problem and a serious infection.

Types of wounds

There are several types of wounds you can receive, including:

• Punctures, such as from a nail or needle
• Abrasions, like a scraped knee or “road rash” from a bicycle crash
• Lacerations, or a deep cut or tear of the skin from a tool, knife or machinery

Emergency care for wounds

You’ll need medical care if your wound is:

• Still bleeding after several minutes of applying direct pressure
• Deeper than half an inch
• The result of a minor accident

That care may include stitches, careful cleaning of the wound and a tetanus shot.

Tanner Urgent Care’s locations in Carrollton, Villa Rica and Bremen are here to help, open weekdays, evenings and weekends to give you the care you need on your schedule.

If wounds need care after hours, our emergency departments in Carrollton, Villa Rica, Bremen and Wedowee have you covered.

Caring for minor wounds at home

If you have a smaller wound, it’s easy to care for it at home to speed healing and reduce the risk of infection:

• Wash and disinfect the wound. Washing and disinfecting will remove dirt, debris and bacteria.
• Use pressure and elevation to control bleeding. Use a clean cloth or dressing to apply direct pressure to the wound, and raise the wound “higher than the heart.” This will reduce blood flow to the wound and help promote clotting.
• Use clean, sterile bandages. Sterile bandages or gauze should be used to ensure the bandaging itself doesn’t increase the risk of infection. A good dressing will help control bleeding and reduce the risk of infection.
• Control your pain. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen are typically adequate for most wounds.
• Use ice or an ice pack for swelling. If your wound is swelling, cold pressure can help.
• Rest. Physical activity can increase the risk of a wound reopening, getting worse or being exposed to sweat that can carry bacteria.

When to worry about a wound

When it comes to wounds, the biggest threat is infection. You should go to an urgent care center for further evaluation if you experience changes in the wound, including:

• Increased drainage
• Odd-colored pus that smells bad
• A fever
• A lump in your armpit or groin that hurts or is tender
• A wound that’s slow to heal

If these symptoms are severe, go to a hospital emergency department.

Get care faster

If you have a wound that requires medical care, you can get into an exam room faster with Tanner MyChart’s “On My Way.”

Just use the menu in your Tanner MyChart app on your mobile device or visit TannerUrgentCare.org to find locations, wait times and to use the “On My Way” option.

Like emergency departments, Tanner Urgent Care uses a triage system to evaluate patients, so you’ll be seen based on the acuity of your injury or illness.