white-wilson

Tag: urgent care ft walton beach

  • Immediate Care Can Fix That!

    Confused about when to go to Immediate Care versus the ER? You are not alone. Most of know that Immediate Care is prepared to help when we have a sore throat or a bout of the flu, but White-Wilson Immediate Care Clinics are also equipped to handle many minor injuries that you may equate with an emergency room visit, like needing stitches. 

    “We are in the business of getting people treated and back to their daily activities as quickly as possible,” White-Wilson Immediate Care Physician, Dr. Kurt Eppley, explains. “Our team is trained to treat most minor injuries in clinic. This includes lacerations that may require stitches, movement-related injuries such as sprains and strains, broken bones, sports-related injuries and worksite injuries.”

    “People may automatically think the emergency room is their only option. The truth is, however, we are able to meet the needs for most minor injuries, get you in and out quickly and save you money,” advises Dr. Eppley. “We have expanded our weekend hours, are accustomed to caring for children and adults and, for many, the out of pocket expense for an Immediate Care visit is far less than a visit to the ER.”

    Each of White-Wilson’s Immediate Care Clinic locations provides lab and imaging services. This helps to ensure that patients can get their results quickly and they don’t have to go offsite for additional testing. White-Wilson also provides a network of specialists that may be consulted as needed.

    “In instances where additional care from a specialist is needed, we have the ability to consult the vast network of White-Wilson specialists,” explains Dr. Eppley. “For issues such as an injury that requires an orthopaedic surgeon or an ophthalmologist, we can offer referrals and work with you to get the care you need. With our electronic medical record, all White-Wilson health care providers have access to notes and test results from your visits.”

    White-Wilson Immediate Care can offer assistance in the case of many injuries and illnesses; however, an emergency department is better equipped to address major injuries such as traumatic wounds, bones protruding through the skin or suspected heart attacks and strokes. When this is the case, patients are advised to call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room.

    “In Immediate Care, we are here for almost anything life throws your way,” says Dr. Eppley. “If your weekend hike or your fishing trip don’t go as planned, if you take a fall at work or if you are just feeling under the weather, we are here for you.”

    White-Wilson Immediate Care Clinics in Fort Walton Beach, Destin Navarre and Niceville offer same-day appointments and accept walk-ins. For more information about hours and locations, visit white-wilson.com.

  • Myth Busters: The Best Way to Remove a Tick is With Heat

    Long summer days are not only great for hitting the beach but also for exploring trails and wooded areas. Floridians are not the only ones who enjoy these lush areas – mosquitoes, yellow flies and gnats are rampant but there is another pest to watch out for: the tick.

    The Florida Department of Health warns that ticks are typically found in wooded areas or those with long grass. They feed off the blood of animals and can spread diseases through their bites.

    “Most tick-bites will not cause you harm,” White-Wilson Family Medicine provider Melissa McComak, ARNP, FNP, explains.

    “However, in Florida, they may result in well known illnesses such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever or lesser known ones such as, ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis. That means, it is important to remove ticks as soon as possible.”

    You may have heard that one sure way to remove ticks is to use heat from a match. But before you start carrying a matchbook around with you at all times, you should know that this is simply an old wives tale.
    “There is no scientific evidence to suggest that heat should be used to remove ticks,” Mrs. McComak says. “The goal is to remove the tick as quickly as possible, not to wait for them to detach.”

    She suggests checking yourself and children when returning from time outdoors. If a tick is spotted, the most efficient way to remove a tick is to use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers.

    “You’ll want to grab the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upwards steadily, so as to not break off the mouth-parts of the insect.” Mrs. McComak explains. “If you do break off the mouth-parts and they remain in the skin, you can try to remove them with the tweezers or leave it and let the skin heal itself. After the tick is removed, you should thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.”

    Following a tick bite, keep an eye on the bite area for a few weeks to see if you develop a rash or fever. If this occurs, visit your primary care provider as soon as possible and let him or her know about the bite.

    This myth is BUSTED!

  • Myth Busters: You Can Sweat Out The Flu

    This busy cold and flu season, many are willing to try anything to help them get feeling better fast. We are often told that one of the best ways to beat the flu is to sweat it out; but is this true or just another tall tale?

    We are sorry to disappoint you, but there is no research backing the belief that you can sweat out the flu or a cold. There are, however, a few tested and proved tips you can follow to make your time with the flu a tad bit easier.

    “Staying hydrated and getting plenty of rest are the best things you can do to help your body fight the illness,” says Dr. Lee Barnes, a family medicine physician at the White-Wilson Niceville Clinic. “Anything that prevents you from resting or hydrating can actually slow down your recovery.”

    Dr. Barnes urges anyone who thinks they may have the flu to visit their doctor as soon as possible—especially those with pre-existing medical conditions and those most likely to experience complications from the flu, such as children, pregnant women and the elderly.

    “What is most important during a bout with the flu is making yourself as comfortable as you can,” said Dr. Barnes. “A visit to your doctor will help get you on your way to feeling better.”

    So if snuggling up under the blankets makes you feel better, we say go for it! Just don’t expect the heat to beat the flu for you.

    THIS MYTH IS BUSTED.