RFSymptoms: Safety netting advice
AdultsEczema
DATE LAST REVIEWED: 05/11/2026
When to seek further review
- Arrange a GP or pharmacist review if the prescribed creams are not controlling the eczema, it affects sleep or daily life, or it keeps flaring.
- Get urgent assessment today if eczema suddenly becomes painful, hot, swollen, crusted, weeping or covered in pus-filled spots, especially with fever.
- Painful blisters or small open sores that spread quickly need urgent assessment today, particularly near the eyes. This can be a serious skin infection.
- Follow the review time agreed for steroid creams and any infection treatment; do not simply keep increasing the strength or duration yourself.
- For mild symptoms without any of the urgent or emergency warning signs listed here, a community pharmacist can advise on self-care and suitable medicines. Tell them the patient’s age, other medicines and any pregnancy or breastfeeding. They can direct you to another service if needed.
- Do not wait for the suggested review time if symptoms become worse, new symptoms appear, or you are worried.
- If you need medical advice and are unsure which service can help, call NHS 111. This includes when your GP is closed or you cannot get the help you need. NHS 111 can direct you to an appropriate local service. You can call even if you are not sure whether symptoms are serious.
When to get emergency help
(Immediately dial 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department)
- Rapidly spreading painful or blistering skin with severe illness or rapid deterioration.
- Eye swelling with reduced sight, a bulging eye or painful eye movements.
- Severe blistering or peeling of skin together with sores in the mouth, eyes or genitals.
- Severe difficulty breathing, such as gasping or being unable to speak normally.
- New confusion or not making sense when speaking.
- Being very difficult to wake.
- Collapse or loss of consciousness.
- Blue, grey, unusually pale or blotchy skin or lips, especially when feeling very unwell.
How to spot sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It can get worse quickly. If someone is seriously unwell and may have sepsis, call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. Do not wait for every sign, a high temperature or a rash.
An unwell child under 5 who has not had a pee or wet nappy for 12 hours needs emergency assessment. If you are unsure and there are no emergency signs, call NHS 111 for advice.
Sources
- NHS - Eczemahttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/atopic-eczema/
- NHS - How pharmacies can helphttps://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/how-pharmacies-can-help/
- NHS - Sepsishttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/
- NHS - When to use NHS 111https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/