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Warning-sign checks

Abnormally dark or light skin: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services if the skin, lips, or tongue become blue or grey, especially with breathing difficulty, chest pain, confusion, severe drowsiness, or collapse.

    These signs may mean the body is not receiving enough oxygen and are not typical pigment changes.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Arrange an assessment sooner if a patch is painful, repeatedly itchy, thickening, bleeding, or changing quickly.

    Seek same-day medical advice for new widespread darkening accompanied by severe weakness, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, or faintness.

    Sudden paleness with marked weakness, a racing heartbeat, breathlessness, or ongoing bleeding also needs prompt assessment.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Book a routine appointment if a colour change is unexplained, keeps spreading, lasts several weeks, or bothers you.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has noticed a lump, a mole that has changed, or unexplained weight loss

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Abnormally dark or light skin. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.