Minor cuts, blisters and wounds

A MinuteClinic provider can discuss symptoms and health history. They can also examine and assess an injury, gently clean it and develop a treatment plan. They may recommend prophylactic (preventative) antibiotics or a tetanus shot. They can also order a wound culture to see if your wound is infected, or they may use a skin-closure device to close your cut or wound.

At certain MinuteClinic locations, a provider may conduct incision and drainage to open and drain an abscess. During the procedure, a provider will make a cut on the top of the abscess. They will then squeeze out any blood, mucus or pus and wash the inside of the abscess with a sterile solution. Finally, they’ll pack it with gauze before covering it with a bandage.

1. You may have to answer a few questions about symptoms to help us prepare for your visit prior to scheduling your appointment.

2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment:

   If you made your appointment online:
   Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.

   If you made your appointment in the clinic:
   Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

   If you made a MinuteClinic Virtual Care^® appointment:
   To join your virtual visit, use the link in the email or text message we sent you to confirm your appointment. Please join 15 minutes before your scheduled visit time. You will need your date of birth and ZIP code to join the visit.

3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.
4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.
5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

Cleaning and bandaging at home may not be enough to prevent infection. A MinuteClinic® provider can ensure that your wound is properly cleaned and dressed. 

Treating a wound (even a minor one) can be upsetting to a child. Getting professional care from a MinuteClinic® health care provider can make the entire experience more tolerable for both children and parents. They ensure your child gets proper wound care with the least amount of discomfort possible. They can also give tips to help avoid blisters and other preventable injuries in the future.

Bacteria can enter through a hair follicle, small tear or wound, or splinter. The body then defends itself against the bacteria by triggering an inflammatory response in the surrounding tissue. This may cause redness or swelling. 

Incision and drainage (I&D) is a medical procedure used to treat skin abscesses. A health care provider numbs the area around the abscess then makes a small cut in so fluid can drain out. After drainage, they’ll clean the wound and pack it with gauze, if needed. They will also prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection, if needed.

Only select MinuteClinic® locations offer incision and drainage. When finding a clinic for your treatment, choose a location that shows incision and drainage service is available. The provider will determine if incision and drainage is needed.

You should seek in-person care for incision and drainage if you have a skin abscess has any of the following symptoms:

• More than half an inch wide
• Near your anus or genitals
• Recurrent (comes back)
• Not responding to home treatment

If you have a skin abscess near your anus or genitals, seek care with your primary health care provider. MinuteClinic® providers do not treat these types of abscesses and will refer you to a specialist.

A health care provider will use a cotton swab to collect a small sample of cells from the wound and send the sample to a laboratory. The laboratory will incubate the sample for two or three days, allowing any bacteria to grow. The lab can then identify the bacteria, and a provider can determine the best treatment for the infection based on the type of bacteria identified.

A health care provider will determine if a culture is needed when a wound looks infected. A person may need a wound culture if they have any of the following symptoms:

• A cut or injury in an area that has an elevated risk of infection, such as hands, feet or joints
• A cut that is deeper than quarter of an inch
• A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
• Increased pain, swelling, tenderness or warmth around the cut or injury
• Pus draining from the cut or injury
• Redness spreading from the cut or injury

A skin-closure device is a noninvasive adhesive used to close wounds. The device keeps the wound protected while it heals and helps the edges of the wound close and heal with minimal scarring.

• Lowers the risk of infection
• Reduces scarring
• Minimizes the risk of re-injury
• Helps the wound heal faster

The length of time it takes for a cut, blister or wound to heal depends on many factors, including the depth and severity of the injury, age and overall health. In general, most minor cuts, blisters and wounds will heal within 7 to 10 days.

A MinuteClinic provider can discuss symptoms and health history. They can also examine and assess an injury, gently clean it and develop a treatment plan. They may recommend prophylactic (preventative) antibiotics or a tetanus shot. They can also order a wound culture to see if your wound is infected, or they may use a skin-closure device to close your cut or wound.

At certain MinuteClinic locations, a provider may conduct incision and drainage to open and drain an abscess, or they may refer to a specialist. During the procedure, a provider will make a cut on the top of the abscess. They will then squeeze out any blood, mucus or pus and wash the inside of the abscess with a sterile solution. Finally, they’ll pack it with gauze before covering it with a bandage.