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
Seek emergency help immediately if widespread skin inflammation occurs with:
Trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, or confusion
Severe weakness, unusual drowsiness, or very little urine
Rapidly increasing swelling or a very fast heartbeat
Fever, shaking chills, pus, or rapidly worsening pain
Blisters, open sores, or involvement of the mouth, eyes, or genitals
These symptoms may indicate problems with circulation, fluid balance, infection, or a serious medicine reaction.
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
New redness or discolouration, warmth, and scaling across most of the body need urgent same-day medical assessment.
This applies even if you do not feel severely unwell.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
For established erythroderma that is stable, attend planned dermatology appointments.
Arrange earlier review if the skin begins spreading again, treatment stops working, new lumps appear, or you develop unexplained weight loss, night sweats, or persistent fever.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Erythroderma. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.