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Warning-sign checks

Nonmelanoma skin cancer: 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

    Go to emergency care for bleeding that is heavy or does not stop with firm, continuous pressure.

    Emergency assessment is also appropriate for severe illness with confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, or rapidly spreading redness around a wound.

    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

    Contact your healthcare team promptly if a diagnosed or treated area grows quickly, becomes increasingly painful, develops numbness, or forms a new lump nearby.

    New swelling in the neck, armpit, or groin also needs timely assessment, particularly after squamous cell carcinoma.

    After a procedure, seek urgent medical advice for spreading redness, worsening swelling, pus, fever, or increasing pain.

    These can be signs of wound infection.

    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

    Arrange a routine appointment if you notice a sore that does not heal, a persistent scaly patch, a new lump, or a spot that repeatedly crusts or bleeds.

    Also seek assessment if a scar or long-standing wound develops a new growth.

    And for anyone, someone who:

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

The article also says

Most suspicious skin changes are not emergencies, but they should not be ignored for months while they continue to change.

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