Arm Problems, Noninjury: Check Your Symptoms

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Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• An arm injury: Go to the topic Arm Injuries.
• Arm pain with chest pain: Go to the topic Chest Pain.
• Arm pain with neck pain: Go to the topic Neck Problems and Injuries.
• Arm swelling that you suspect could be caused by an allergic reaction: Go to the topic Allergic Reaction.
• Elbow problem: Go to the topic Elbow Problems, Noninjury.
• Shoulder problem: Go to the topic Shoulder Problems and Injuries.
• Wrist or hand problem: Go to the topic Finger, Hand, and Wrist Problems, Noninjury.

Yes

Do you have pain or a cramp in your arm?

Yes

Is your arm swelling?

Yes

Do you have numbness or tingling in one or both arms?

Yes

Do you now have arm weakness or have you had arm weakness in the past?

Yes

Is your arm pale, white, blue, or cold?

Yes

Do you think you have an infection in your arm?

Yes

Do you have a problem along a vein?

Yes

Do you think your arm problem may be caused by a medicine?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• Insect bites or stings: Go to the topic Insect Bites and Stings and Spider Bites.
• Rash: Go to the topics:
  • Rash, Age 11 and Younger.
  • Rash, Age 12 and Older.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

Last updated:	July 28, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer