What causes skin to turn blue?
These include:
- chronic respiratory disease, such as asthma or COPD
- sudden infection in your airways, such as pneumonia
- severe anemia, or low red blood cell count
- overdoses of certain medications
- exposure to certain poisons, such as cyanide
- Raynaud’s syndrome, a condition that can restrict blood flow to your fingers or toes
Why your skin may turn blue or gray?
Pallor, or pale skin, and grayish or blue skin are a result of a lack of oxygenated blood. Your blood carries oxygen around your body, and when this is disrupted, you see a discoloration. The disruption may be to the flow of blood itself, which produces paleness or a gray tint to skin tone.
What medication turns you blue?
Pigmentation may be induced by a wide variety of drugs; the main ones implicated include non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs ), phenytoin, antimalarials, amiodarone, antipsychotic drugs, cytotoxic drugs, tetracyclines, and heavy metals.
What causes a blue spot under my skin?
the cause of blue spot on skin maybe the effect of bruises on that skin and also Blue spot are often associated with bruises. A bruise, or contusion, appears on the skin due to trauma. Examples of trauma are a cut or a blow to an area of the body. The injury causes tiny blood vessels called capillaries to burst.
What illness turns your skin blue?
Argyria is a rare skin condition that can happen if silver builds up in your body over a long time. It can turn your skin, eyes, internal organs, nails, and gums a blue-gray color, especially in areas of your body exposed to sunlight.
Is blue skin serious?
Blue skin and lips is usually caused by low blood oxygen levels or poor circulation. It can be a sign of a serious problem. Call 999 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately if you notice an adult or child suddenly turning blue.
Can cyanosis cause death?
Your body must have a steady supply of oxygen to function properly. Cyanotic heart disease prevents your body from getting the oxygen it needs. Structural abnormalities in your heart can cause severe complications and even death.
Does cyanosis go away?
How is cyanosis treated? Most cyanosis in children is a result of “acrocyanosis” and does not need treatment. If there is a primary lung or heart issue, cyanosis will go away when the child has the underlying condition treated either medically or surgically.
Should I be concerned if my hands are blue?
When should you seek medical attention? Contact your doctor if you develop a bluish tint to your skin, lips, fingertips, or fingernails that can't be explained by bruising and doesn't go away. Seek emergency medical attention if you develop cyanosis along with any of the following symptoms: difficulty breathing.
Can humans have blue skin?
Methemoglobinemia can be inherited or acquired. Acquired cases are more likely to occur and are usually the result of exposure to certain medications or chemicals such as nitrates, silver or benzocaine. Symptoms of this rare disease can include: Bluish colored skin.
Is there a cure for methemoglobinemia?
The condition is benign. There is no effective treatment for people with a congenital form who develop an acquired form. This means that they should not take drugs such as benzocaine and lidocaine. People who acquire methemoglobinemia from medications can completely recover with proper treatment.
How do you fix cyanosis?
Treatment of cyanosisWarming of the affected areas. ... Surgery as a treatment for cyanosis. ... Oxygenation as a treatment for cyanosis. ... Intravenous fluids. ... Drugs as a treatment for cyanosis. ... Immunizations for children with cyanosis. ... Injections for babies with cyanosis. ... Glucose administration.More items...
Why is my skin bluish?
A bluish color to the skin or mucous membrane is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. The medical term is cyanosis.
Why does cyanosis look bluish?
Click to Keep Reading. Most cyanosis occurs because of a lack of oxygen in the blood. This can be caused by the following problems. For cyanosis caused by exposure to cold or Raynaud phenomenon, dress warmly when going outside or stay in a well-heated room. Bluish skin can be a sign of many serious medical problems.
What is the treatment for cyanosis?
The treatment you receive depends on the cause of cyanosis. For example, you may receive oxygen for shortness of breath.
How to get rid of bluish skin?
Call or visit your health care provider. For adults, call your doctor or 911 if you have bluish skin and any of the following: You cannot get a deep breath or your breathing is getting harder, or faster. Need to lean forward when sitting to breathe. Are using muscles around the ribs to get enough air. Have chest pain.
How to dress for cyanosis?
For cyanosis caused by exposure to cold or Raynaud phenomenon, dress warmly when going outside or stay in a well-heated room.
What is it called when blood cells are red?
Blood that has lost its oxygen is dark bluish-red. People whose blood is low in oxygen tend to have a bluish color to their skin. This condition is called cyanosis.
Can cyanosis cause shortness of breath?
Depending on the cause , cyanosis may develop suddenly, along with shortness of breath and other symptoms. Cyanosis that is caused by long-term heart or lung problems may develop slowly. Symptoms may be present, but are often not severe.
What is blue skin?
Blue skin often means there’s an issue with the flow of your blood or oxygen supply. The most common cause is a bruise. When tiny blood vessels are injured, blood collects beneath the skin, causing the blue color.
What causes a cough and a blue skin?
Chronic cough. Blue skin. Congestive heart failure (CHF) occurs when your heart can no longer effectively pump blood for your body to function normally. This causes problems with oxygen delivery to the rest of the body, and fluid builds up in the lungs and lower legs.
Why do my hands turn blue?
Or you may get blue hands after spending time outside in cold weather. Blood vessels constrict in the cold, so less blood reaches your fingertips and toes, turning them blue.
Why do my hands get cold?
Cold hands, especially if persistent for longer than usual, are caused by poor circulation due to the hardening of blood vessels over time, hypothyroidism, anxiety, or infections. Often blood circulation causes both cold hands and feet. Lungs. Pulmonary Embolism: Early Warning Signs, Treatment, What to Do.
Why do my hands feel blue after cold?
When you get cold, your blood vessels constrict, or become narrower, which decreases blood flow and the oxygen supply to your extremities. In people with Raynaud’s syndrome, the blood vessels overreact, stopping oxygen flow completely.
Why is my finger blue?
Clothing or jewelry that fit too tightly could limit blood flow and oxygen to your fingers or toes and cause blue discoloration. Dyes, including fabric dyes in new clothing, can transfer onto your skin and give it a blue appearance. Certain medications can cause blue pigmentation of the skin.
How to get rid of blue skin?
At-home care. Check if any of your medications could cause blue skin. Avoid extreme cold and wear proper cold-weather gear. Try to warm up if you have been out in the cold. Monitor blue skin to see if it gets better, stays the same, or worsens. If you think it’s from fabric dye, try to remove with rubbing alcohol.
