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
These usually need timely review but are not automatically emergencies.
Seek urgent or emergency care for:
Sudden severe breathlessness, chest pain, fainting, or blue-grey lips
A severe new headache, vision changes, confusion, or a sudden major blood pressure rise
Markedly reduced urine, especially with headache or high blood pressure
A finger or toe becoming persistently pale, blue, black, cold, or severely painful
Vomiting blood, black stools, or heavy rectal bleeding
These symptoms may indicate a serious circulation, lung, heart, kidney, or digestive complication.
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
If you have diagnosed scleroderma, contact your healthcare team promptly about new or worsening breathlessness, cough, swelling, reduced exercise ability, fingertip ulcers, muscle weakness, or digestive symptoms.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange a routine medical appointment if you develop persistent skin hardening, puffy fingers, repeated Raynaud's attacks, unexplained fingertip sores, or ongoing trouble swallowing.
These symptoms have several possible causes and need proper assessment rather than self-diagnosis.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Scleroderma. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.