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
Get emergency help for:
Trouble breathing, swallowing, or speaking
Rapidly worsening weakness or inability to stand
Fainting with severe weakness or an irregular heartbeat
Sudden facial drooping, one-sided weakness, or difficulty speaking
New loss of bladder or bowel control with numbness around the groin
Sudden one-sided symptoms are not typical of polyneuropathy and may indicate a stroke or another emergency.
And for anyone, someone who:
has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
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 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
Seek urgent medical assessment if weakness progresses over days or a few weeks, especially if it begins in the legs and moves upward.
Rapidly developing neuropathy may need hospital testing and treatment.
A hot, swollen, spreading red foot wound, pus, fever, or darkened tissue needs prompt medical care.
This is especially important if reduced sensation has made the injury difficult to feel.
And for anyone, someone who:
has a new severe headache unlike any they have had before
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Make a routine medical appointment for persistent numbness, tingling, burning pain, balance problems, or weakness.
Early assessment can identify treatable causes and establish whether the symptoms follow a typical polyneuropathy pattern.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Sensorimotor polyneuropathy. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.