Is skin infections an emergency?
It depends. Many skin infections are not emergencies, but one becomes an emergency when redness spreads quickly, you develop a fever or red streaking, the skin turns hot, tightly swollen and severely painful, or you feel confused, dizzy or short of breath.
Sometimes an Emergency, Sometimes Not
Most skin infections, such as a small area of cellulitis or a minor boil, are not emergencies and can be treated with antibiotics from a primary care doctor, urgent care, or telemedicine. What turns a skin infection into a true emergency is evidence that it is spreading fast or moving beyond the skin into deeper tissue or the bloodstream.
Red Flags That Make It an Emergency
Come to the ER right away if you notice any of these:
- Redness that is spreading quickly. Trace or mark the edge with a pen; if it grows over a few hours, that is a warning sign.
- Red streaks running from the wound toward the body.
- Fever or chills, which suggest the infection is affecting your whole body.
- Skin that is hot, tightly swollen, and severely painful, or pain that feels far out of proportion to how the skin looks.
- A large or very painful abscess, or an infection on the face or near the eyes.
Call-911 Triggers
Call 911 rather than driving yourself if you have:
- Pain rapidly getting worse, skin turning purple or gray, blistering, or a crackling feeling under the skin. These are red flags for a serious, fast-moving deep infection (such as necrotizing fasciitis) and are a medical emergency.
- Signs of sepsis: confusion, dizziness, a racing heart, very low body temperature, or shortness of breath.
You should also treat any skin infection as an emergency if you have diabetes, a weakened immune system, or take medicines that suppress immunity, because infections can escalate faster and quietly.
For a complete guide, see our skin infections page. You can walk in any time or call (713) 660-0001 — Bellaire ER at 5302 Bellaire Blvd is open 24/7.