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Warning-sign checks

Erosion: 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

    Emergency care is needed for widespread blistering or peeling, especially with fever, mouth or eye sores, facial swelling, trouble breathing, faintness, or symptoms beginning after a medicine.

    Rapidly worsening pain, confusion, or severe illness also requires emergency 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. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek prompt care for increasing pain, warmth, swelling, pus, spreading redness or discoloration, an unpleasant smell, red streaks, fever, or feeling generally unwell.

    Get urgent medical help for eye pain, marked light sensitivity, sudden vision changes, or an erosion involving the eye.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange routine medical advice if an erosion has no clear cause, keeps returning, is not starting to heal, or is growing.

    Assessment is also appropriate for mouth or genital erosions, multiple blisters, or symptoms that began after a new medicine.

The article also says

People with diabetes, poor circulation, reduced sensation, or a weakened immune system should seek advice early, especially for an erosion on the foot or lower leg.

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