Dry skin: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Call emergency services if you develop widespread blistering or peeling, especially with sores in your mouth or eyes, trouble breathing, or swelling of your face or tongue.

   These symptoms are not typical of simple dry skin.

   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
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Seek advice promptly if you have diabetes, reduced feeling in your feet, or poor circulation and develop a crack or sore on a foot.

   Get same-day medical care if dry or cracked skin develops signs of infection, such as:

   • Redness that is spreading
   • Increasing warmth, swelling, or pain
   • Pus, yellow crusting, or red streaks
   • Fever or feeling generally unwell

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Book a routine appointment if the dryness is severe, keeps returning, does not improve with self-care, or affects your sleep or daily activities.

   You should also arrange an assessment if you have widespread scaling, unexplained skin changes, or deep cracks that keep bleeding.

   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 Dry skin. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.