Peripheral cyanosis is when the hands, fingertips, or feet turn blue because they are not getting enough oxygen-rich blood. Cold temperatures, circulation problems, and tight jewelry are common causes of peripheral cyanosis. In this article, we take a close look at peripheral cyanosis, including its causes, symptoms, and treatment. We also look at another type of cyanosis called central cyanosis that affects central parts of the body, the lips, or the tongue.
All organs and tissues of the body need oxygen to carry out their functions. If the body cannot deliver enough oxygen to parts of the body, cyanosis may occur. Certain medical conditions can prevent oxygen-rich blood from reaching parts of the body. People tend to experience cyanosis in the extremities of their body, such as their fingertips and feet.
This is because these body parts are furthest away from the heart, so the blood has further to travel. It may affect just one side of the body or both sides equally. Central cyanosis affects the core organs of the body, causing a blue-green tint across central areas of the body, the lips, or the tongue. The symptoms of central cyanosis do not get better when the body part is heated up. Both central and peripheral cyanosis have similar causes, including problems with the heart, blood, lungs, or nervous system.
Doctors diagnose peripheral cyanosis through a combination of physical tests, imaging scans, such as X-rays, and blood tests. Doctors may prescribe specific medicines to treat heart and lung conditions. Women are more likely than men to have Raynaud's disease, also known as Raynaud's or Raynaud's phenomenon or syndrome.
It appears to be more common in people who live in colder climates. Treatment of Raynaud's disease depends on its severity and whether you have other health conditions.
For most people, Raynaud's disease isn't disabling, but it can affect your quality of life. Raynaud's disease causes smaller arteries that supply blood flow to the skin to narrow in response to cold or stress. The affected body parts, usually fingers and toes, might turn white or blue and feel cold and numb until circulation improves, usually when you get warm.
During an attack of Raynaud's, affected areas of your skin usually first turn white. Then, they often turn blue and feel cold and numb. As you warm and your circulation improves, the affected areas may turn red, throb, tingle or swell. Although Raynaud's most commonly affects your fingers and toes, it can also affect other areas of your body, such as your nose, lips, ears and even nipples. After you warm up, the return of normal blood flow to the area can take 15 minutes.
See your doctor right away if you have a history of severe Raynaud's and develop a sore or infection in one of your affected fingers or toes. Doctors don't completely understand the cause of Raynaud's attacks, but blood vessels in the hands and feet appear to overreact to cold temperatures or stress. With Raynaud's, arteries to your fingers and toes become narrow and briefly limit blood supply when exposed to cold or stress.
Over time, these small arteries can thicken slightly, further limiting blood flow. Cold temperatures are most likely to trigger an attack. For example, you may receive oxygen for shortness of breath. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap McGee S. In: McGee S, ed. Evidence-Based Physical Diagnosis. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap 9. Harron, Jr. Editorial team. Blue discoloration of the skin.
When the oxygen level has dropped only a small amount, cyanosis may be hard to detect. Problems with the lungs: Blood clot in the arteries of the lungs pulmonary embolism Drowning or near-drowning High altitude Infection in the smallest air passages in the lungs of children, called bronchiolitis Long-term lung problems that become more severe, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD , asthma , and interstitial lung disease Pneumonia severe Problems with the airways leading to the lungs: Breath-holding although this is exceedingly difficult to do Choking on something stuck in the airways Swelling around the vocal cords croup Inflammation of the flap of tissue, called the epiglottis, that covers the windpipe epiglottitis Problems with the heart: Heart defects that are present at birth congenital Heart failure Heart stops working cardiac arrest Other problems: Drug overdose narcotics, benzodiazepines, sedatives Exposure to cold air or water Seizure that lasts a long time Toxins such as cyanide.
When to Contact a Medical Professional. What to Expect at Your Office Visit. A pulmonary embolism PE occurs when a blood clot travels from the veins of the legs and causes a blockage of the arteries of the lungs.
Your risk increases if you have been sedentary not moving around, especially from travel or surgery , have a blood disorder that makes your blood more likely to clot, or have or had a leg injury. This condition is usually diagnosed with a special CT scan after a dye injection.
You may also need blood tests, an EKG, and a chest X-ray. An ultrasound of the leg can show a blood clot that might move to the lungs. You will be given blood thinners to prevent the clot from getting bigger. Some people need surgery to remove the clot. Some might need a special filter placed in a blood vessel near the heart to catch clots before they reach the lungs. Many doctors have used rubbing alcohol to cure blue skin! If the blue color comes off with an alcohol wipe, the diagnosis is confirmed.
We love to give patients good news, so this situation is a happy one for both parties. If you notice blue skin and you otherwise feel fine, quickly try to remember whether you might have been wearing new blue jeans or doing an art project!
There are a number of other less common causes of blue skin. 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.
Extreme cold and high altitude can also cause blue skin, but skin should return to normal with warming or going to a lower altitude. You should go to the ER if your blue skin is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, which may be a sign of a more serious problem:.
Ask your doctor what you can do to prevent this symptom in the future. Questions may relate to diseases, illnesses, or conditions you may have or that may run in your family. Your answers will help us provide you with medical information and identify services that may be relevant to your health. Buoy Health uses reasonable physical, technical, and administrative safeguards such as firewalls, encryption, identity management, and intrusion prevention and detection to protect your information.
We will not share your information with third parties unless you give your consent or unless permitted by applicable law. Try our AI assistant here. Informed by current CDC guidelines. Skip to main content Skip to accessibility services Buoy Logo. Nav Close Icon. Nav Open Icon. Health articles Chevron Icon. Featured topics. Symptom checker. Editorial standards. Who we serve Chevron Icon. Brokers and Consultants. Solutions Chevron Icon. Care Navigation. Sections Icon. What is blue skin?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Peripheral artery disease. Congestive heart failure. Pulmonary embolism.
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