In the past, getting sick or injured outside of your doctors' regular hours meant that you likely had to go to the emergency room. ER visits can amount to long wait times, higher medical bills, and more. When urgent care clinics started popping up, more people could see doctors and pay less.

Urgent care clinics can offer a wide range of services for all sorts of illnesses and injuries. Additionally, you will most likely see a substantially shorter wait time. According to eHealth, the average wait time at an urgent care clinic is around 30 minutes. So, when should you choose a clinic over the ER? Here are three times when you should bypass the emergency room.

1. You Were Bitten by an Animal or Insect

The only exception to this is if you were seriously injured by the animal when it attacked you, like a large dog or even a bear. Also, if the animal or insect is highly venomous, you want to head to the ER. Otherwise, the people at the urgent care clinic will clean the wound or tend to the insect bite. They may even put a few stitches in the bite area, depending on your unique bite.

2. You Have a Small Cut That Needs Stitches

If you have a minor cut that is bleeding some, but you're not at risk of severe damage to any part of your body, you can go to an urgent care clinic and have them put some sutures or stitches in the cut. It should heal fast and you will have a tiny scar at most.

3. You Strained or Sprained Something

Were you playing a sport that accidentally made your ankle bend in a direction that it shouldn't have? Chances are good that you sprained it. Also, if you were running and suddenly felt something tighten or ache in your leg, you may have strained something. You can go to an urgent care clinic for this. If it felt like you heard a crunchy snap, that's when you want to go to the ER for a broken bone.

A couple of other things that warrant an urgent care clinic visit are having cold or flu symptoms and getting a school or sports physical. Are you looking for an urgent care clinic in your area? Contact Southwest Urgent Care Center today to learn about our full range of medical services!