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
Emergency care may be needed after major trauma with an obvious deformity, or when severe infection symptoms include confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, or rapidly worsening illness.
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
Seek urgent medical care for:
Rapidly increasing redness, warmth, or swelling
Drainage from the skin near the painful area
Fever or feeling unwell with a red, painful heel
Inability to bear weight after an injury
A sudden pop followed by weakness or difficulty pushing off the foot
Significant heel pain in a person with a foot wound, poor circulation, or reduced sensation
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange routine follow-up if heel pain is not improving with reduced pressure and activity changes, repeatedly returns, or interferes with work, sleep, exercise, or normal walking.
An appointment is also appropriate for a persistent lump, unexplained swelling, or symptoms in both heels, especially when there is a history of gout, psoriasis, inflammatory arthritis, or prolonged morning stiffness.
The article also says
During recovery, activity should usually increase in stages.
Pain that becomes progressively worse during activity or remains more intense afterward may mean the load is increasing too quickly.
Footwear and training habits should also be reviewed to reduce repeated irritation.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Bursitis of the heel. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.