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
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Call emergency services for chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, fainting, or a suddenly cold and powerless limb.
These symptoms may indicate a blood clot, serious infection, or loss of blood flow and require immediate assessment.
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 has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Contact the treating clinician sooner if symptoms are rapidly worsening, therapy is causing repeated severe flares, a medicine causes concerning side effects, or new symptoms develop outside the usual pattern.
Changes in mood, severe sleep loss, or difficulty coping also deserve prompt support.
Seek urgent medical assessment for:
New fever, spreading redness, warmth, pus, or an open wound
Sudden major swelling, especially with calf pain
A limb that suddenly becomes very pale, blue, cold, numb, or weak
New chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, or coughing up blood
Severe pain after a new injury, especially with deformity or loss of function
And for anyone, someone who:
has abdominal pain that is severe, constant, or getting worse
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Routine follow-up is used to review pain, sleep, swelling, movement, medication effects, and progress toward practical goals.
Goals might include tolerating clothing, using the hand for a task, walking farther, returning to work, or sleeping more consistently.
The article also says
CRPS itself is not usually an emergency.
However, new limb symptoms should not automatically be assumed to be CRPS.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Complex regional pain syndrome. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.