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Warning-sign checks

Repair of webbed fingers or toes: 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

    If you cannot reach the surgical team and circulation appears reduced, go to an emergency department.

    Call emergency services for severe breathing difficulty, collapse, or another life-threatening 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. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact the surgical team promptly if pain is getting worse rather than better, the cast becomes wet or damaged, or there is increasing redness, swelling, drainage, bad smell, or fever.

    Also call if the dressing slips or the skin graft donor site begins bleeding.

    Seek urgent medical assessment if a separated finger or toe becomes pale, blue, unusually dark, cold, very swollen, or increasingly numb.

    Severe pain that does not improve with the recommended medicine can also signal pressure under a cast or a circulation problem.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Questions about scar care, activity, school, work, or routine dressing changes can usually wait for normal clinic hours unless the team has advised otherwise.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Repair of webbed fingers or toes. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.