24/7 Emergency Care. Our patients are first.
Most rashes are not dangerous. But a rash with breathing trouble, swelling, fever, purple spots, or blistering can be serious. If you’re worried, it’s safer to get checked.24
Go to the ER right away if your rash comes with:
Trouble breathing, wheezing, or tight throat
Swelling of the lips, tongue, face, or throat
Fainting/collapse, severe weakness, or confusion
Fever and you look/feel very sick, especially with headache or stiff neck
Purple or dark red spots/bruising that don’t fade when pressed (non-blanching rash)
Blisters, skin peeling, or sores in the mouth/eyes/genitals
Rapidly spreading redness, severe tenderness, warmth, pus, or red streaks up an arm/leg (possible spreading skin infection)
A new rash after starting a new medication, especially with swelling, fever, blistering, or feeling unwell
If breathing is affected or the throat is swelling, call 911.
Kids get rashes all the time—most are viral or irritation-related. But don’t “wait and see” if your child has a rash plus:
Any trouble breathing or swelling of lips/tongue/face
Extreme sleepiness, confusion, or fainting
A purple/non-blanching rash, especially with fever
Blisters/peeling skin or sores in the mouth/eyes
Severe pain, rapidly spreading redness, or red streaking
Infants under 3 months: if there’s a fever (100.4°F / 38°C or higher)—especially with a rash—get urgent evaluation now.
When a rash is usually not an ER emergency
Rashes that are mild, itchy, and you’re otherwise okay are often not ER-level—examples include mild contact reactions (soap/detergent/plant), heat rash, or minor insect bites. If there’s no fever, no breathing trouble, and no blistering, you can often start with home care and/or your primary care doctor.
ER or urgent care?
Choose the ER if you have any red-flag symptom in the checklist above—especially breathing changes, facial/throat swelling, purple spots, blistering/peeling skin, or a rapidly worsening rash.
Consider urgent care or your doctor when the rash is mild, you feel okay, and symptoms are improving—but get seen promptly if it’s persistent, recurrent, or spreading.
Medication-related rashes (be careful here)
If a rash starts after a new medicine, contact the prescribing clinician. Do not take another dose until you’ve gotten medical advice—unless it’s a medication where stopping could be dangerous (in that case, call urgently for guidance). If there’s swelling, breathing trouble, fever, or blistering, treat it as an emergency.
What Post Oak ER can do for a serious rash (Houston)
At Post Oak ER, we can quickly check for dangerous causes of rash—like severe allergic reactions, serious infections, or medication reactions—and start treatment right away. Care may include:
Airway/breathing assessment and monitoring
IV treatments (fluids and medications) when needed for allergic reactions or dehydration
Treatment for painful or infected skin conditions (including evaluation for deeper infection)
On-site imaging (X-ray / ultrasound / CT) when it’s clinically appropriate to rule out complications
A simple rule that keeps people safe
If your rash is making you think: “This might be more than a rash”—especially with breathing symptoms, swelling, fever, purple spots, or blistering—don’t self-diagnose. Come in.
Whether you’re in Westchase, Midtown, or the Heights, getting to Post Oak ER is simple. We’re centrally located near major Houston routes like I‑610 and San Felipe — just a short drive from Memorial Park and River Oaks. Many patients reach us via Westheimer or Woodway Dr., depending on their neighborhood.
We accept most major insurance plans and also welcome self-pay patients with transparent, upfront pricing. Many Memorial-area patients visit us using Blue Cross, Aetna, Cigna, Humana, Molina, and United Healthcare.
Yes. We’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our freestanding ER model is designed to minimize or eliminate wait times so you’re seen fast.
No. Walk in anytime. If it’s an emergency, come straight in or call ahead and we’ll be ready: 832-581-2277.
5018 San Felipe St, Houston, TX 77056 — near The Galleria/Uptown. Free, convenient parking right by the entrance.
Yes. Our board-certified emergency physicians care for all ages, including pediatric emergencies.
Chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headache/migraine, abdominal pain, injuries and fractures, cuts requiring stitches, high fever, dehydration, allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and more. If you believe it’s life-threatening, call 911.
Yes. We offer on-site CT scans, digital X-rays, and a full laboratory, so most tests and results are done during your visit.
Absolutely. We routinely see patients from Uptown, The Galleria, River Oaks, Tanglewood, and Memorial.
A photo ID, insurance card (if available), a list of medications/allergies, and any recent medical records you have.
We accept most major private insurance plans. Coverage varies by plan; our team will help verify benefits and discuss any out-of-pocket costs. Questions? Call 832-581-2277.
Urgent care handles minor illnesses/injuries. ERs have advanced imaging, lab, medications, and emergency physicians for time-sensitive or severe conditions (e.g., chest pain, severe abdominal pain, serious injury, difficulty breathing).
Yes. If inpatient care or surgery is required, we coordinate a direct transfer to the appropriate hospital.
Times vary by condition and testing, but our no-wait intake and on-site diagnostics help you get answers and treatment as quickly as possible.