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When to Seek Care: Where Should You Go?
Three levels of urgency, from red to green: if you match a higher level, act on that level. When in doubt, treat it as the more urgent level.
๐จ Level 1: Emergency โ call 911 or 119 / go to ER now
Action: Call 911 or 119, or go to the emergency room immediately- Bleeding that will not stop even with direct pressure
- Blood spurting from the wound
- A very deep or very large wound
- A large object stuck in the wound (do not pull it out yourself)
- A finger or limb that has lost feeling or cannot move
- Severe burns or scalds
- Confusion, trouble breathing, or signs of shock (pale face, cold sweat)
- A wound spreading rapidly along with high fever or feeling very unwell
โ ๏ธ Level 2: Same-day medical evaluation
Action: Same-day clinic or emergency evaluation- Human or animal bites
- Puncture wounds or crush injuries
- Wounds with dirt, saliva, or obvious contamination
- Ongoing redness, swelling, warmth, and pain
- Pus or a clear bad smell
- Wound edges turning black
- Any new wound on a diabetic foot
- Any wound in a person with a weakened immune system
- A wound that splits open or stitches that come out early
- Not sure whether you need a tetanus shot
๐ Level 3: Book a clinic visit / follow-up
Action: Contact your usual care provider ยท keep your scheduled follow-up- The wound has not gotten smaller for a long time
- Fluid keeps increasing
- Dressings need changing more and more often
- The wound keeps breaking open
- The wound interferes with walking, sleep, or daily activities
- You don't know what caused the wound
- Your scheduled follow-up or stitch-removal date has arrived
๐ฅ Quick action guide
| Level | Action |
|---|---|
| ๐จ Level 1 | Call 911 or 119, or go to the ER |
| โ ๏ธ Level 2 | Same-day clinic or emergency evaluation |
| ๐ Level 3 | Contact your usual care provider, keep your scheduled follow-up |
This content is general wound-care education and triage guidance. It cannot replace a doctor's examination. If you cannot judge how serious it is, seek medical help directly.
Last updated: 2026-08-23