RFSymptoms: Safety netting advice
AdultsRash
DATE LAST REVIEWED: 05/11/2026
When to seek further review
- Arrange medical or pharmacist advice if the cause is unclear, the rash is not improving, keeps returning, or interferes with daily life.
- Seek urgent advice today if it spreads quickly, is painful, hot, swollen or blistering, or comes with fever or feeling unwell.
- Seek prompt advice for a new rash after starting a medicine. Use the emergency advice below for blistering, peeling, mouth sores or breathing problems.
- A child with a rash, poor feeding, unusual behaviour or concerning fever needs urgent advice; trust your judgement if they seem unwell.
- 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.
- For an urgent problem that is not life-threatening, NHS 111 may direct you to an Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) rather than a GP appointment. UTCs can assess many minor illnesses and injuries. Services, opening hours and ages treated vary, so call NHS 111 if you are unsure where to go. Do not delay emergency help for any of the emergency signs below.
- 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)
- A rash that does not fade when pressed with a clear glass, particularly with illness or fever.
- Sudden swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing.
- Blistering or peeling skin with sores in the mouth, eyes or genitals.
- A rash with a stiff neck, severe headache, confusion or difficulty waking.
- 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 - Rashhttps://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/itchy-skin/
- NHS - How pharmacies can helphttps://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/how-pharmacies-can-help/
- NHS - When to go to an Urgent Treatment Centrehttps://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-visit-an-urgent-treatment-centre/
- NHS - Meningitishttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis/
- 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/