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Warning-sign checks

Primary cutaneous amyloidosis: 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 severe trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, or sudden severe weakness.

    These are not typical symptoms of skin-limited amyloidosis, but they require emergency assessment regardless of the cause.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    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 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

    Contact a healthcare professional promptly if you have nodular cutaneous amyloidosis and develop unexplained swelling of the legs, foamy urine, increasing breathlessness, numbness, unusual weakness, unexplained weight loss, or persistent diarrhoea.

    These symptoms have many possible causes, but they may require assessment for a condition affecting more than the skin.

    Seek urgent medical care for rapidly increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pus, fever, or severe pain around broken skin, as these may suggest infection.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine appointment if you develop persistent itchy, darkened, thickened, or lumpy skin that has not been assessed.

    You should also seek review if a known area is spreading, bleeding repeatedly, becoming painful, or no longer responding to your usual management.

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