Urgent symptoms

Topics to discuss

• a rash that spreads fast with fever, or skin that blisters or peels
• swelling of the face, lips, or throat, or trouble breathing
• A wound with rapidly spreading redness, red streaks, or fever
• a cold, pale, or dark toe or foot
• a wound that will not stop bleeding
• If any of these happen, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Choosing the next step

Use the warning signs above to decide when emergency help is needed. This page cannot check your symptoms or tell you that it is safe to wait. If symptoms are severe, sudden, or getting worse quickly, seek urgent medical help. A routine appointment request is not an emergency service, and a message may not be read right away.

For a life-threatening emergency, call 911. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint, confused, or unable to travel safely. If possible, have someone stay with you while help arrives. Bring your medicine list and allergy information if they are easy to reach, but do not delay emergency care to collect records.

Sources

• Acne — NIAMS (NIH)
• Atopic Dermatitis — NIAMS (NIH)
• Hair Loss — MedlinePlus (NIH)
• What to look for: ABCDEs of melanoma — American Academy of Dermatology
• Diabetes and Foot Problems — NIDDK (NIH)
• Diabetic Foot — MedlinePlus (NIH)
• How wounds heal: signs of infection — MedlinePlus (NIH)
• Cellulitis — MedlinePlus (NIH)