Common Causes
Paleness, also known as pallor, is an unusual lightness of skin color compared with your normal complexion. It’s different than having skin that’s naturally light. Paleness is not a condition in and of itself. It may be caused by reduced blood flow and oxygen or by a decreased number of red blood cells.
Related Conditions
Pallor is pale color of the skin. Can develop suddenly or gradually, depending on cause Generally clinically insignificant, unless it is accompanied by general pallor of the lips, tongue, palms, mouth, and other mucous membranes Result of reduced amount of oxyhemoglobin, and is visible in skin or mucous membrane
What does the name pallor mean?
Pallor, derived from the Latin pallere, meaning “to be pale,” is a medical sign related to several health conditions. Paleness of the skin indicates an atypical lightening of the skin or mucous membranes. Pale skin may occur all over the body or be localized to one area. Pallor is most easily seen on the face, inner lining of the eyelids ...
What is the medical definition of pallor?
Pallor is extreme paleness or a lack of healthy color in the skin. An example of pallor is when you are sick and your face is very pale as a result. Paleness; want of color; pallidity. Pallor of the complexion. How do you describe pallor?
What is pallor in medicine?
What does pallor mean?
What is an example of pallor?
Pallor is extreme paleness or a lack of healthy color in the skin. An example of pallor is when you are sick and your face is very pale as a result.
How do you test for pallor?
Severe pallor is considered when both, anterior and posterior rims of the palpebral conjunctiva have the same very pale fleshy color. Looking for pallor in the tongue: Ask the patient to protrude the tongue and observe the dorsal surface. The tongue and the oral mucosa look visibly pale or severe pale.
What is a pallor in nursing?
Skin - pale or gray; Pallor. Paleness is an abnormal loss of color from normal skin or mucous membranes.
What can cause pallor?
It may be caused by reduced blood flow and oxygen or by a decreased number of red blood cells. It can be a manifestation of emotions such as fear (“pale as a ghost”), or it can be a symptom of serious medical conditions such as severe anemia, bloodstream infection, or frostbite.
Can dehydration cause pallor?
Feeling faint and skin pallor (pale skin) can be caused by a number of conditions including dehydration, heat exhaustion, and anemia (a decreased red blood cell count). Anemia can be caused by a number of different factors including iron deficiency and chronic diseases.
Why does anemia cause pallor?
Pallor is the most commonly encountered physical finding in patients with anemia. As mentioned earlier, this sign is due to the shunting of blood away from the skin and other peripheral tissues, permitting enhanced blood flow to vital organs.
What does gray pallor indicate?
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.
How do you test pallor in dark skin?
Pallor may be difficult to detect in dark toned skin and may present as ashen or grey. In brown toned skin the skin will present more yellowish in colour. An alternative method for identifying pallor in darker skin tones can be assessing the palmer surface which can appear paler.
Where would you look for signs of pallor in a dark skinned person?
How easily paleness is diagnosed varies with skin color and the thickness and amount of blood vessels in the tissue under the skin. Sometimes it is only a lightening of skin color. Paleness may be difficult to detect in a dark-skinned person and is detected only in the eye and mouth lining.
Is iron deficiency anemia lifelong?
Treatment is not needed nor recommended. This is a lifelong condition with mild anemia and small red blood cells.
What does "pallor" mean?
English Language Learners Definition of pallor. formal : paleness especially of the face that is caused by illness. See the full definition for pallor in the English Language Learners Dictionary.
What does "pallour" mean in English?
Middle English pallour, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French palur, pallor "paleness, wanness, pale yellow color (of gold), borrowed from Latin pallor "paleness of complexion, loss of color," noun derivative, with the suffix -ōr-, -or (early Latin -ōs ), from the base of pallēre "to be pale or bloodless, have a pale color," pallidus "pale, colorless" — more at fallow entry 1
What does "pallor" mean?
Long-Term Outlook. Pallor comes from the Latin word "palleo," which means to look pale or fade. Pallor is a condition in which a person’s skin and mucous membranes turn lighter than they usually are.
What causes pallor in the body?
Conditions That Cause Pallor. Pallor is most commonly linked to anemia. But it can also be caused by any of the following conditions: Aplastic anemia. Other types of anemia like autoimmune hemolytic anemia, Diamond–Blackfan anemia, and Fanconi anemia.
What is the long term outlook for pallor?
Long-Term Outlook. Since pallor can be caused by any of several different conditions , having the correct diagnosis is important . The long-term outlook depends on the medical condition, the severity, how quickly you get treatment , and the treatment options available. Most cases of pallor can be managed successfully if you get medical help without ...
What is the moist lining that covers and protects the organs inside your body and the body cavities exposed to?
Mucous membranes are the moist lining that covers and protects the organs inside your body and the body cavities exposed to the air, like the inside of your nose, ears, and mouth. . The paleness of the skin may be seen all over the body or just in one area.
What is the treatment for pallor?
For iron deficiency anemia, your doctor may recommend iron supplements. Sometimes more tests or additional treatments are needed if your doctor suspects that there is bleeding on the inside.
What is the best test to find out if you have pale skin?
Some of the tests that are usually performed include: Complete blood count (CBC): This blood test is used to find out if you have anemia, infections, or other health conditions.
Is pallor the same as albinism?
Pallor is not the same as a condition called albin ism, which is when your body produces little or no pigment (color) at all in your eyes, hair, and skin. Pallor is treated as a serious condition if it is seen on: The lips. The lining of the eyes. The palms of your hands.
How does the physician diagnose pallor?
The physician will perform a physical examination of the patient and ask about any symptoms . They may order the following tests, which include:
Where is pallor most easily seen?
Pallor is most easily seen on the face, inner lining of the eyelids (palpebral conjunctiva ), inner lining of the mouth ( oral mucosa), and nails . Pallor seen in these areas may indicate a serious condition: Inner surface or lining of the eyelids. Inside of the mouth. The surface of the tongue.
What does it mean to be pale?
Pallor, derived from the Latin pallere, meaning “to be pale,” is a medical sign related to several health conditions. Paleness of the skin indicates an atypical lightening of the skin or mucous membranes. Pale skin may occur all over the body or be localized to one area. Pallor is most easily seen on the face, inner lining ...
Why is my skin pale?
Pallor or paleness may be caused due to the decreased blood supply to the skin. Paleness is related to blood flow in the skin rather than the deposition of melanin in the skin. Pallor can also be a sign of: Iron-deficiency anemia.
What is the condition where blood vessels are blocked?
Arterial occlusion (a circulatory condition in which blocked or narrowed blood vessels reduce blood flow to the limbs) Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (a rare disorder in which the person’s immune system attacks their red blood cells) Bleeding. Chemical poisoning. Chronic diseases including infection and cancer.
How to tell if you have pallor?
Your doctor will review your symptoms and your medical history, perform a physical examination, and check your heart rate and blood pressure. Pallor can often be diagnosed by sight, but it can be hard to detect in dark complexions. If you have a darker complexion, your doctor may check your inner eyelids and mucous membranes for a loss of color.
Where to see if you have pallor?
If you develop paleness and symptoms such as fatigue and mild shortness of breath, you can usually be seen in your doctor’s office.
What does it mean when your mouth is pale?
mucous membranes inside your mouth. Paleness can be a manifestation of emotions such as fear (“pale as a ghost”), or it can be a sign of serious medical problems such as severe anemia, bloodstream infection, or frostbite. Paleness in your inner eyelids is a telltale sign of anemia, regardless of race. It is also considered a sensitive indicator of ...
What is pale skin?
Paleness. Paleness, also known as pale complexion or pallor, is an unusual lightness of skin color compared with your normal complexion. Paleness may be caused by reduced blood flow and oxygen or by a decreased number of red blood cells. It can occur all over your skin or appear more localized. Localized paleness usually involves one limb.
How to treat paleness?
The options can include: following a balanced diet. taking iron, vitamin B-12, or folate supplements. taking medication or getting treatment to manage ongoing medical problems.
What does it mean when you feel ill?
Paleness, low blood pressure, and a faint, rapid pulse are signs that you’re seriously ill. Abdominal pain and tenderness might mean that internal bleeding is causing your pallor. If you experience any of these symptoms, your doctor may need to order additional tests right away to determine the underlying cause of your condition.
Can you treat pallor with medication?
Acute cases of pallor require immediate medical attention. Ongoing paleness can often be treated with medication. However, having the correct diagnosis about what’s causing your paleness is key to timely and proper treatment.
What is the degree of pallor?
The degree of pallor furnishes a rough index to the amount of hemoglobin in the corpuscle.
Why is the word "sinister" Latin?
The word "sinister" is Latin for "left," because left-handed people were often thought of as suspicious, evil, or demonic.
