Do you have severe pain from a rash or blisters on your scalp?

Do you have moderate pain from a rash or blisters on your scalp?Note: Call your doctor as soon as possible. If your symptoms are caused by an infection with the herpes virus, you may be able to take a medicine to limit the pain and rash. Medicines work best if you start taking them within 2 to 3 days of the start of the rash.

Have you had mild to moderate pain from a rash or blisters for more than 3 to 4 days?Note: Call your doctor as soon as possible. If your symptoms are caused by an infection with the herpes virus, you may be able to take a medicine to limit the pain and rash. Medicines work best if you start taking them within 2 to 3 days of the start of the rash.

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

Do you have increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth in your scalp?

Do you have red streaks extending from an area in your scalp?

Do you have pus in or around a rash or sore in your scalp?

Do you know or think you have a fever?

Do you have a crusty, blistered sore that is draining honey-colored fluid?

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

Have you had swollen lymph nodes in your neck for longer than 24 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.

Has a mole or colored skin spot gotten larger?

Has a mole or colored skin spot developed jagged or scalloped edges (irregular borders)?

Has part or all of a mole or colored skin spot turned red, white, blue, black, or a mix of colors?

Has part or all of a mole or colored skin spot lost its color?

Has color from part or all of a mole or colored skin spot spread into surrounding skin?

Has a flat mole or colored skin spot become thicker or raised?

Does a mole or colored skin spot look crusty or worn down (eroded)?

Does a mole or colored skin spot itch, tingle, burn, or hurt when you touch it?

Do you have an open sore in a mole or colored skin spot?

Does a mole or colored skin spot bleed easily?

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 red areas on your scalp that are topped with loose, silvery flakes of skin?

Do you have blisters or crusty, oozing sores on your scalp?

Do you have an itchy scalp with a solid red rash or crusty sores?

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 new patches of itchy, oozing blisters on your scalp?

Is severe itching interfering with your usual activities or preventing sleep even after 12 hours of home treatment?

Do you still have moderate scalp itching after 48 hours of home treatment?

Do you have recurrent patches of itchy sores or blisters on the scalp?

Can you still see head lice or their eggs on your scalp, the nape of your neck, or behind your ears after using a prescription or nonprescription treatment for head lice? Note: Call your doctor today to arrange for your treatment.

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 that your hair loss or scalp problem may be caused by a medicine?Note: If your answer is "Yes":Call the doctor who prescribed the medicine to determine whether you should stop taking the medicine or take a different one. An appointment may not be necessary.If you are taking a nonprescription medicine, stop taking the medicine. If you feel you need to continue taking the medicine, call your doctor.

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.

Have you had a red, irritated scalp for 2 weeks or longer?

Have you had broken scalp hairs for 2 weeks or longer?

Have you had patchy hair loss for 2 weeks or longer?

Have you had a crusty, flaky scalp with any other symptoms for 2 weeks or longer?

Do you still have dandruff after 2 weeks of treatment with an antidandruff shampoo?

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.

Have you been unable to control the urge to pull out your own hair for longer than 2 weeks?

Have you had sudden, unexplained hair loss for longer than 2 weeks?

Are you concerned about hair loss or thinning?

Do you have a new bald spot?

Do you have a rash or crusting on your scalp?

Do you continue to have new hair breakage even after 2 weeks of home treatment?

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.