RFSymptoms: Safety netting advice
AdultsWound care
DATE LAST REVIEWED: 05/11/2026
When to seek further review
- Follow the dressing, stitch-removal and wound-review dates given by the treating team. Timing depends on the wound and how it was closed.
- Get urgent advice today for increasing pain, warmth, redness, swelling, pus, a bad smell, fever or a wound that starts opening.
- Seek advice for a dirty wound that cannot be cleaned, a bite, an uncertain tetanus vaccination history or a wound that is not healing.
- Do not remove glue, strips or stitches early. Ask the treating team, GP or NHS 111 if unsure about aftercare.
- 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)
- Heavy bleeding that will not stop with firm continuous pressure, or blood spurting from the wound.
- An object stuck in the wound: do not pull it out.
- A very large or deep wound, or a serious cut to the face, palm, neck, chest or tummy.
- Loss of feeling or movement near the wound, or a cold, pale or blue hand or foot.
- Rapidly worsening pain or swelling with black skin, severe illness or collapse.
- 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 - Wound carehttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cuts-and-grazes/
- 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 - 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/