Skin Problems & Treatments Health Center

Do you have shaking chills?

Do you know or think you have a fever?

Do you have a moderate to severe headache?

Do you have belly pain?

Do you have vomiting?

Do you have diarrhea?

Do you feel ill?

Do you have aching muscles or joints?

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.

Do you have diabetes?

Do you have peripheral arterial disease?

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

Do you have red streaks extending away from the blister?

Do you have increased swelling, redness, or warmth around a blister?

Do you have pus draining from a blister?

Do you know or think you have a fever?

Do you have a crusty blister that is draining honey-colored fluid?

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

Have you had swollen glands (lymph nodes) near a blister for 24 hours or longer?

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.

Do you have severely painful blisters in a band on one side of your body or face?

Do you have moderately painful blisters in a band on one side of your body or face?

Have you had mild pain from one or more blisters for 24 hours or longer?

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.

Do you think your blisters are caused by a medicine?Note: If your answer is Yes:Call the doctor who prescribed the medicine the same day to determine whether you should stop taking the medicine or take a different one. An appointment may not be needed.If you are taking a medicine that was not prescribed by a doctor, stop taking it. Call your doctor if you feel you need to keep taking the medicine or if you need help to control your symptoms after you stop taking the medicine.

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.

Do you have severe itching that keeps you from doing usual activities or sleep after 12 hours of home treatment?

Do you have new patches of itchy, oozing blisters?

Do you have moderate itching that has interfered with your usual activities or sleep after 48 hours of home treatment?

Do you have recurrent patches of itchy blisters?

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.

Are you worried that the blister area is dirty or has germs on it and your last tetanus shot was longer than 5 years ago?Note: Something is dirty if it has dirt, soil, spit, or feces on it.

Are you not sure when you had your last tetanus shot?

Did you not get the first series of tetanus shots?

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.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you may need immediate care. Call your health professional now to discuss your symptoms and arrange for your care.

• Symptoms are likely to worsen without medical care.
• If you do not have a health professional, seek emergency care.
• Emergency transportation is not needed. However, if you are not able to travel safely either by driving yourself or having someone else drive you, call an ambulance.

You do not need to answer any of the other questions.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you need to call your health professional to discuss your symptoms and arrange for care.

• An appointment today is usually needed.
• Symptoms are unlikely to improve without medical care.

Return to the Check Your Symptoms section and answer the questions. You may need to see a health professional sooner if you have other more serious symptoms.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you may wait to see if your symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or the specified time period). If symptoms improve, no appointment is needed.

• If symptoms do not improve after 24 hours (or the specified time period), an appointment within the next 24 hours is usually needed.
• If appropriate, try home treatment to relieve your symptoms.
• Check your symptoms in 24 hours, or sooner if there is any change.
• Call your health professional if symptoms get worse.

Return to the Check Your Symptoms section and answer the questions. You may need to see a health professional sooner if you have other more serious symptoms.