When you or a family member has a fall, knowing how to treat injuries and where to go for help is essential.
At Emerald Coast Urgent Care, we provide care for bruises, scrapes, and many other minor injuries that may result from a fall.
After a Fall: Managing Bruises, Scrapes, and Swelling
When you’ve had a fall, it’s common to sustain some type of injury. Some of the most common are bruises and scrapes. You may also experience swelling of the area injured when you fell.
Many of these injuries can be treated at home; let’s discuss what to do.
Bruises
A bruise is a common outcome of a fall. It occurs when blood vessels beneath the skin rupture and blood becomes trapped in the tissue. A bruise typically starts out red or purple and gradually changes in color as it heals.
Here are some things you can do to treat a bruise:
- Elevate the bruised area above your heart if possible.
- Wrap an ice pack in a thin towel and apply it to the bruise for up to 20 minutes, then remove it. Do this several times during the first few days after your fall.
- After a few days, switch to applying heat. Use a warm compress or heating pad and place it over the bruised area several times a day.
- Take an over-the-counter pain medication if needed.
Scrapes
Scrapes are another common injury with a fall. Here’s how you can care for scrapes at home:
- Wash your hands before caring for a scrape to prevent infection.
- Clean the scrape carefully with clean, running water. Try to wash any dirt or debris from the scrape. If you can’t, use tweezers sanitized with isopropyl alcohol to gently remove debris from the wound. If a foreign object is deeply embedded in the tissue, it’s best to let an urgent care provider remove it. Wash the skin around your scrape with soapy water.
- Apply antibiotic ointment (unless you are allergic) to the scrape and cover it with a clean bandage to keep the wound clean and protected while it heals.
- Change the bandage at least daily, or whenever it becomes wet or soiled with drainage.
Swelling
After a fall, the tissue that takes the brunt of the impact can sometimes become swollen. Here are some things you can do to treat swelling:
- Apply an ice pack to the area for up to 20 minutes. Repeat several times daily for the first two days after your injury, then switch to a heating pad.
- Use an elastic bandage to wrap the swollen area, but do not wrap it too tightly.
When to See a Doctor for a Fall
Treatment at home may be all you need for minor injuries after a fall. Sometimes, however, you should see a provider. Visit urgent care for fall treatment if:
- You have a wound that is bleeding significantly and won’t stop after applying pressure.
- Your wound is deep and dirty. You may need a tetanus shot if you haven’t had one in the last five years.
- Your scrape appears infected. Watch for redness, increasing pain, swelling, and white or yellow discharge.
- Your bruise increases in size or becomes raised. This could indicate a hematoma that requires medical attention.
- You take a blood thinner or anticoagulant.
- You hit your head during your fall.
- You have significant pain in your arm, leg, or hip and have difficulty bearing weight, walking, or using a limb. This may indicate a fracture.
Some falls can result in serious and life-threatening injuries. Get to an emergency room (ER) rather than urgent care if:
- You have copious bleeding.
- You’ve had a compound fracture (a fractured bone has broken through your skin).
- You take a blood thinner, and you hit your head during your fall.
- You observe someone have a seizure or lose consciousness after a fall.
Urgent Care Treatment for a Fall
Urgent care is an excellent choice for many injuries resulting from a fall. At Emerald Coast Urgent Care, an experienced provider will assess your injuries, discuss your medical history, and begin treatment. We provide care for bruises and other wounds, including stitches if necessary. If you have a minor fracture, your provider can treat it onsite. Our locations also feature onsite X-ray services to assess injuries as needed.
Fall Treatment at Emerald Coast Urgent Care
At Emerald Coast Urgent Care, we treat a wide range of injuries and illnesses in people of all ages. For your convenience, we offer walk-in visits 7 days a week at each of our three locations. If you or a family member has had a fall and needs medical attention, visit Emerald Coast Urgent Care today.
