Swelling: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Call emergency services now if swelling occurs with:

   • Trouble breathing, severe chest pain, fainting, or coughing up blood
   • Sudden swelling of the tongue, lips, mouth, or throat
   • Difficulty swallowing, noisy breathing, or a feeling that the throat is closing
   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
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Seek same-day medical care for sudden swelling in one leg or arm, especially if it is painful, warm, or red.

   These features can occur with a blood clot or infection and should not be managed at home without assessment.

   You should also seek prompt care if swelling is rapidly spreading, follows a serious injury, or occurs with fever, severe pain, confusion, very little urine, or skin that is becoming dark or blistered.

   During pregnancy, seek urgent maternity advice for sudden swelling of the face or hands, particularly with a severe headache, vision changes, pain below the ribs, nausea, or feeling very unwell.

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • is getting rapidly more short of breath, or has gained several pounds in a few days with swelling
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Book a routine appointment if swelling keeps returning, lasts more than a few days without a clear reason, gradually worsens, or affects your daily activities.

   Arrange follow-up if you develop persistent skin changes or swelling after starting a medicine.

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • has noticed a lump, a mole that has changed, or unexplained weight loss
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

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