Have you had any changes to your skin? Review
health risks that may make any symptom more serious.
This includes things like a change in the size or shape of a mole, a colour change in the skin, or a new skin growth.
How old are you?
Less than 12 years
Less than 12 years
12 years or older
12 years or older
Are you male or female?
Why do we ask this question?
If you are transgender or non-binary, choose the sex that matches the body parts (such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina) you now have in the area where you are having symptoms. If your symptoms aren’t related to those organs, you can choose the gender you identify with. If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice (once as "male" and once as "female"). This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you. Yes
Symptoms of allergic reaction
No
Symptoms of allergic reaction
Do you think you may have a fever?
Are there red streaks leading away from the area or pus draining from it?
Do you have diabetes, a
weakened immune system , peripheral arterial disease, or any surgical hardware in the area?
"Hardware" includes things like artificial joints, plates or screws, catheters, and medicine pumps.
Yes
Diabetes, immune problems, peripheral arterial disease, or surgical hardware in affected area
No
Diabetes, immune problems, peripheral arterial disease, or surgical hardware in affected area
Do you think that a
medicine could be causing the changes in your skin?
Think about whether the skin changes appeared after you began using a new medicine or a higher dose of a medicine.
Yes
Medicine may be causing skin changes
No
Medicine may be causing skin changes
Is the itching severe?
Severe means that you are scratching so hard that your skin is cut or bleeding.
Has the itching interfered with sleeping or normal activities for more than 2 days?
Yes
Itching has disrupted sleep or normal activities for more than 2 days
No
Itching has disrupted sleep or normal activities for more than 2 days
Has there been a
change in a mole or other skin spot?
Yes
Changes in mole or skin spot
No
Changes in mole or skin spot
Are you concerned about or bothered by any skin changes?
Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:
Your age . Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker.Your overall health . If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.Medicines you take . Certain medicines, such as blood thinners (anticoagulants), medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, or natural health products can cause symptoms or make them worse.Recent health events , such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious.Your health habits and lifestyle , such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel.Try Home Treatment You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home.
Try home treatment to relieve the symptoms. Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any concerns (for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect). You may need care sooner. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
A rash, or raised, red areas called hives. Itching. Swelling. Trouble breathing. Mild belly pain or nausea. Skin changes are a common side effect of many prescription and non-prescription medicines. Common side effects include:
Rash . Any medicine can cause a rash. Two examples are ASA and antibiotics.Colour changes in the skin . A few examples of medicines that can cause this are: Birth control pills. Medicines for heart rhythm problems, such as amiodarone. Antibiotics. Cancer medicines. Seizure medicines. Reactions when the skin is exposed to sunlight . Many medicines can cause these reactions. The reaction may include just the skin that was exposed to the sun (phototoxic reaction), or it can spread to other areas of the skin (photoallergic reaction).A new yellow tint to the skin can be a symptom of jaundice . Jaundice occurs when levels of a substance called bilirubin build up in the blood and skin. It may be caused by a problem with the liver or the blood.
With jaundice, the whites of the eyes also may look yellow, and stools may be light-coloured or whitish.
Symptoms of infection may include:
Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in or around the area. Red streaks leading from the area. Pus draining from the area. A fever. Certain health conditions and medicines weaken the immune system's ability to fight off infection and illness. Some examples in adults are:
Diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and HIV/AIDS. Long-term alcohol and drug problems. Steroid medicines, which may be used to treat a variety of conditions. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer. Other medicines used to treat autoimmune disease. Medicines taken after organ transplant. Not having a spleen. A change to a mole or other skin spot can mean that the spot has:
Gotten bigger. Developed uneven borders. Gotten thicker, raised, or worn down. Changed colour. Started to bleed easily. Seek Care Today Based on your answers, you may need care soon . The problem probably will not get better without medical care.
Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care. If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care today. If it is evening, watch the symptoms and seek care in the morning. If the symptoms get worse, seek care sooner. Make an Appointment Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care.
Make an appointment to see your doctor in the next 1 to 2 weeks. If appropriate, try home treatment while you are waiting for the appointment. If symptoms get worse or you have any concerns, call your doctor. You may need care sooner. Seek Care Now Based on your answers, you may need care right away . The problem is likely to get worse without medical care.
Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care. If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care in the next hour. You do not need to call an ambulance unless: You cannot travel safely either by driving yourself or by having someone else drive you. You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down. Allergic Reaction
Rash, Age 12 and Older
Rash, Age 11 and Younger
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