Skin Problems & Treatments Health Center

Do you have diabetes?

Do you have peripheral arterial disease?

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

Do you have red streaks extending from the affected area?

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

Do you have drainage of pus from the affected area?

Do you know or think you have a fever?

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

Have you had swollen glands (lymph nodes) near a sore 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.

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 scaly, 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 (ulcer) in a mole or colored skin spot?

Has a mole or colored skin spot started to break off or 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 think that your skin change may be caused by a medicine?Note: Call the doctor who prescribed the medicine to find out if 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. Call your doctor if you feel that you need to continue 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 the whites of your eyes look yellow?

Is your urine a dark amber color?

Does your skin itch?

Are your stools whitish or very light-colored?

Does your skin look yellow, but you do not have other symptoms?

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?

Do you have mild to moderate itching 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.

Does the location of a spot or bump, such as having a mole in an area where you shave, make irritation difficult to avoid?

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.

Does a raised skin bump have a smooth, shiny, pearly appearance?

Does a raised, firm bump look like a scar?

Does a firm, red bump bleed easily or look scaly or crusty?

Do you have a rough, red or brown scaly spot or patch of skin?

Are you worried about a new skin growth or mole?

Have you had a skin spot, bump, or growth for 4 weeks or longer without other symptoms?

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 skin changes are related to pregnancy?

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.