If you are referring to elite enemies with red spikes on them and you don't have a summoning build then I suggest that you switch to a totem or a trap rune whenever you meet them, specially if you don't have enough HP or defense to counteract their returned damage. And if you're lucky to already owned a Holy Clothes or an Aegis Shield, then you can always use one of those to prevent enemies from hurting you.
If you are referring to elite enemies with red spikes on them and you don't have a summoning build then I suggest that you switch to a totem or a trap rune whenever you meet them, specially if you don't have enough HP or defense to counteract their returned damage. And if you're lucky to already owned a Holy Clothes or an Aegis Shield, then you can always use one of those to prevent enemies from hurting you.