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 if you develop confusion, fainting, severe weakness, trouble breathing, or other signs of serious illness.
These symptoms are not typical of an ordinary HS flare and may indicate a severe infection or another emergency.
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 your healthcare team sooner if a known HS area is worsening despite treatment, a wound will not heal, or you develop a new or changing growth in long-standing scarred skin.
Seek urgent same-day medical care if you have:
Fever with increasing warmth, swelling, or spreading redness
Rapidly worsening pain or swelling
Red streaks extending from an affected area
Pus or drainage with feeling generally very unwell
Difficulty passing urine or stool because of severe swelling or pain
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange a routine appointment if you have painful lumps that keep returning in the armpits, groin, buttocks, under the breasts, or other skin folds.
Also seek review if drainage, pain, or scarring is affecting sleep, movement, work, or relationships.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Hidradenitis suppurativa. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.