Arm Problems, Noninjury

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Arm pain occurs with chest pain that is crushing or squeezing, is getting worse, or occurs with any other symptoms of a heart attack. After calling 911 or other emergency services:
  • If the person becomes unconscious, see Rescue Breathing and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
  • If emergency medical personnel, such as paramedics, are not going to arrive soon and the person is awake, alert, not vomiting, and not allergic to aspirin, have him or her chew and swallow one adult aspirin (325 mg). Be sure to tell emergency personnel that aspirin has been taken.
• Sudden arm weakness occurs with loss of function.
• Sudden severe pain occurs with pale, white, blue, or cold skin that has lasted more than a few minutes.

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• An arm injury: Go to the topic Arm Injuries.
• Arm pain with chest pain: Go to the topic Chest Pain.
• Arm pain with neck pain: Go to the topic Neck Problems and Injuries.
• Arm swelling that you suspect could be caused by an allergic reaction: Go to the topic Allergic Reaction.
• Elbow problem: Go to the topic Elbow Problems, Noninjury.
• Shoulder problem: Go to the topic Shoulder Problems and Injuries.
• Wrist or hand problem: Go to the topic Finger, Hand, and Wrist Problems, Noninjury.

Yes	Do you have pain or a cramp in your arm?
Yes	Is your arm swelling?
Yes	Do you have numbness or tingling in one or both arms?
Yes	Do you now have arm weakness or have you had arm weakness in the past?
Yes	Is your arm pale, white, blue, or cold?
Yes	Do you think you have an infection in your arm?
Yes	Do you have a problem along a vein?
Yes	Do you think your arm problem may be caused by a medicine?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• Insect bites or stings: Go to the topic Insect Bites and Stings and Spider Bites.
• Rash: Go to the topics:
  • Rash, Age 11 and Younger.
  • Rash, Age 12 and Older.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: August 31, 2006
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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