You’re not imagining it: you are more likely to need medical help with an illness or injury – or wonder if a trip to urgent care is needed – on a holiday. Combine rushing, cooking and distractions and things get predictably painful. This month we’re bringing you a reference guide for when to head to urgent care for the most common holiday injuries: burns, cuts and food poisoning.
Cooking-related fires that require the fire department are more than three times more likely on Thanksgiving than on a typical day — along with an associated uptick in burns.
You may recall from high school health class that there are three degrees of burns: first, second and third. Second-degree and third-degree burns should receive prompt medical attention.
Most holiday-related cuts happen in the kitchen, though we see them from plastic “clamshell” packaging and scissors, too. Whether rushing to get those veggies chopped, absentmindedly cutting while chatting with guests or slicing your finger on a sharp can lid, come see us if your cut:
If you can’t confidently clean the wound, you should also come into the clinic closest to you. Even if stitches aren’t required, we can help you avoid infection.
Go to the hospital or call 9-1-1 if blood is spurting, there is an associated head injury or broken bone, you’re unable to move, you lose consciousness, or there is an object stuck in your body.
No matter the talent of the cook, gatherings like Thanksgiving have the potential for food poisoning. If you’re hosting or bringing a dish to share, be sure to follow safe food handling guidelines. If you’re a guest, beware of anything that looks or tastes ‘off’ and prioritize your safety over politeness. (You’re suddenly full, right?)
A food-borne illness typically appears not long after you’ve eaten the culprit food. You’ll likely experience one or more of these symptoms: diarrhea, stomach pain or cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever. These can last a few hours or a few days, depending on the virus or bacteria to blame. Those that pass quickly are less dangerous, especially because you are less likely to become dehydrated. Head to urgent care if you have any of the following symptoms:
As much as we enjoy caring for our patients, we prefer everyone be able to enjoy safe and healthy holidays. We encourage you to stay calm and take your time preparing so that your dinner isn’t rudely interrupted by an injury. We like to say that the only rushing that should happen on Thanksgiving is related to football!
To avoid food-borne illnesses, refer to this helpful information from the CDC. It includes reminders about processes. And here’s an all-in-one internal temperature chart for meat. (It’s 165 degrees for a turkey.)
Of course, if you need us, we’re here to help Remember that we have clinics across the region, so head to our website for the location nearest you.
Reviewed by: Katie Sanne, FNP-C
If you are in a situation that might be life-threatening, go straight to the emergency room or call 911. Situations like this include: Shortness of breath or breathing problems. Seizures or ‘blackouts’. Sudden vision problems. Confusion or dizziness. Heavy bleeding. Possible breaks that appear to be deformed or blue, or that include bleeding. Serious burns. The inability to speak or move. Head and neck injuries.