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Warning-sign checks

Eczema: when to get help

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. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services for difficulty breathing, faintness, or sudden swelling of the tongue or throat.

    These suggest a severe allergic reaction rather than an ordinary eczema flare.

    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. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek urgent, same-day medical help if skin becomes increasingly painful, hot, swollen, rapidly more inflamed, or starts producing pus or extensive crusting.

    Fever or feeling generally unwell with worsening eczema may indicate infection.

    Get urgent assessment for a rapidly spreading, painful rash with clusters of blisters or round open sores, especially with fever, tiredness, or involvement near an eye.

    These may be features of eczema herpeticum.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine appointment for a persistent itchy rash, uncertainty about the diagnosis, or symptoms that do not respond to your usual skin care.

    Review is also appropriate for repeated flares, sleep disruption, frequent infections, possible work-related eczema, or treatment concerns.

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