sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site
Ask Sofi
Listen
Patient SupportEmergencies & Reporting
Log inSign up

Warning-sign checks

Hyperelastic 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 for sudden severe chest, back, or abdominal pain; severe shortness of breath; fainting; uncontrolled bleeding; or sudden weakness, facial drooping, or trouble speaking.

    These symptoms are not typical effects of hyperelastic skin itself, but they can signal a serious blood-vessel problem, especially in someone with a diagnosed or suspected vascular connective-tissue disorder.

    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

    Seek same-day medical care for a deep or gaping skin split, bleeding that is difficult to stop, or signs that a wound may be infected.

    These include increasing pain, warmth, swelling, spreading redness, pus, or fever.

    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 the stretchiness is marked, has recently changed, or occurs with easy bruising, unusual scars, joint instability, repeated injuries, or a family history of connective-tissue problems.

    Children with unusually stretchy or fragile skin should also be assessed.

    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 Hyperelastic skin. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.