When To Visit Primary Care Doctor In Torrance For Bug Bites?

When you get sick or injured, it can be difficult to determine the level of medical care you need. Should you contact your primary care doctor in Torrance, go to the emergency room, or go straight to the emergency room? The emergency room (ER) is often overcrowded. As such, they are not always the best option for some sick or injured patients. However, for serious or life-threatening situations, they are definitely the best choice to seek emergency medical help. 

When To Go To The Urgent Care:

There are times when you need a primary care physician in Torrance but your condition is not life threatening. In this situation, it is best to go to an emergency center in your area. This includes any medical condition that will require medical attention within the next 12 to 24 hours. Examples of conditions best treated in emergency care include:

Cuts that may require stitchesModerate fever and cases of fluBroken bones that require X-raysUrinary tract infectionsSkin rashes or infectionsNausea and vomitNot severe breathing difficultiesAccidents or falls

Usually at the 1st Stop Urgent Care and Family Practice we see bites of all kinds, from annoying mosquitoes to spiders and ticks. Sometimes it is difficult to determine the culprit of the bite. Most don't require medical attention, but here are a few signs to watch out for when contacting a primary care doctor in Torrance.

Signs Of Infection:

Signs of infection include redness, warmth, swelling, red streaks around the bite, fever, chills, drainage from the bite, and / or pain. These symptoms may indicate the need for an antibiotic.

"The Eye Of The Bull":

A bullseye rash is a distinct pattern that appears on the skin after a person has been bitten by a tick. This may indicate the contraction of Lyme disease. The primary care physician in Camarillo recommends immediate medical attention. Not all Lyme disease has a rash. If you develop flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, headache, body aches) within 30 days of a tick bite, seek an evaluation at the nearest emergency room. 

Scabies Or Bed Bugs:

Scabies is caused by a mite that burrows into the skin. Common places where this rash is noticed are the sides and webbed fingers, wrists, armpits, and genitals. Severe itching occurs in the area where the mite burrows.

Bed bugs are small, oval, brownish insects that feed on the blood of animals or humans. They feed by piercing the skin and drawing blood through an elongated beak. Please tell your occupational health services doctor if you think you have bed bugs or scabies and get further instructions.

Although most insect bites are harmless, it is important to recognize the signs of something more serious. You can visit one of our emergency centers to assess bites, stings and skin infections.

Our primary care doctor in Torrance is open every day of the week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. - without an appointment! From 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., we offer Rapid Antigen and Shipment PCR COVID-19 tests as well as COVID-19 antibody tests. To be seen by a vendor, simply enter or register your spot online for viewings by clicking here. For more information on registering online to save time, visit 1st Stop Urgent Care and Family Practice. We are happy to help you. Faster!