Rash, Age 12 And Older: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

When to See a Doctor

Do you have a rash and signs of a skin infection?

See significance of a rash and signs of infection if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

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

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have diabetes?

Yes

Do you have peripheral arterial disease?

Yes

Do you have a disease or take medicine that causes problems with your immune system?

Yes

Do you have red streaks spreading from the rash?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the rash?

Yes

Is the area around your rash more tender to the touch?

Yes

Do you have pus in or around the rash?

Yes

Do you know or think you have a fever?

Yes

Do you have a rash with honey-colored drainage which dries into crusts and covers an area larger than ?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you had mild pain and swelling with redness less than around the rash for longer than 24 hours?

Yes

Have you had swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the neck, armpit, or groin for longer than 72 hours?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Last updated:	August 01, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer