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Warning-sign checks

Methemoglobinemia: 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 now if blue-gray lips or skin appear with:

    • Severe or worsening breathing difficulty
    • Confusion, extreme sleepiness, or loss of consciousness
    • A seizure
    • Chest pain, collapse, or a very abnormal heartbeat
    • A significant chemical or medication exposure
    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 medical assessment for new blue-gray coloring, unexplained shortness of breath, or symptoms beginning after a medicine, numbing product, recreational inhalant, contaminated water, or workplace chemical.

    Bring the product container or medicine list if it is safe to do so.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up is appropriate after recovery to review the cause and reduce the chance of another episode.

    Long-standing cyanosis without acute symptoms also deserves a medical assessment, particularly if it has never been explained.

The article also says

Move away from a chemical exposure if you can do so safely, but do not enter a contaminated area without proper protection.

Do not make yourself vomit unless a poison service specifically instructs you to.

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