Blood disorder/Hand and Wrist
When not receiving sufficient oxygen-rich blood, frequently the hands, feet, fingers, and/or toes develop a characteristic bluish discoloration known by Peripheral cyanosis.
Peripheral cyanosis is seldom a severe disorder however anyone whose hands and feet do not come back to normal color and blood flow after warming and massaging should seek medical care.
Peripheral cyanosis occurs mainly due to reduced blood circulation in the damaged extremities, causing the tissues starved for oxygen.
Oxygen-rich blood is a bright red, while oxygen-poor blood is dark red and will initiate a bluish green color through the skin.
Peripheral cyanosis can touch anyone regardless of age, even newborns.
Peripheral Cyanosis with newborns may be associated to heart, nerve, lung, or cell function difficulties.
Peripheral cyanosis is occasionally hard to diagnose with newborns because of other skin discoloration topics, comprising jaundice.
Peripheral cyanosis signs
- Skin to appear blue-green on the extremities
- Bluish zones reflecting cold feeling
Note that Peripheral cyanosis may be a life-threatening emergency as well; Therefore anyone facing a blue discoloration with the following signs should seek instant medical care:
- Greedy for air
- Breath shortness
- Fever
- Headache
- Chest pain
- Excessive panicking
- Pain or coldness in the extremities
- White or pale appearance of the extremities
- Shakiness
- Vertigo
All above signs are signs of blocked blood flow.
Reasons
Peripheral cyanosis is frequently related to being cold due to poor oxygenation.
Regular reasons for peripheral cyanosis may embrace:
- Tight clothing or tight jewelry
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a critical disorder causing a blood lumps in a vein.
- Blood insufficiency
- Heart failure causing the heart’s inability to pump sufficient blood
- Raynaud’s sensation that causes limited blood flow to the extremities
- Lymphedema, which causes dysfunction in the lymphatic system due to inflammation. (note that Lymphedema may affect the head and neck as well).
- Arterial insufficiency (stoppage of blood flow to the arteries)
- Severe hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Septic shock
- Hypovolemia (decrease in blood volume).
Diagnosis
Any time skin color does not come back to normal color, it is significant to look for the reason.
A doctor exam may help determining a primary reason:
- Listening to the heart and lungs
- blood work
- CT scans and x-rays
An arterial blood gas test may also diagnosed a Peripheral Cyanosis. (This test measures acidity, carbon dioxide, and oxygen levels in the blood).
Therapy
Therapy begins by identifying the underlying causes of the restricted blood flow.
An appropriate therapy may help reducing any probable complication.
Medicines for treating Peripheral Cyanosis may include:
- Antidepressants
- Anti-hypertension,
- Erectile dysfunction drugs.
Medicines that may cause restriction of blood flow should be avoided.
It is moreover advised to diminish caffeine consumption and quit smoking, since both topic are known for restricting blood vessels and affecting blood flow decrease.
A final word
Constant signs of discolored and cold skin travelling with a restrictive blood flow should brought immediate attention and a visit to a specialist is required to avoid more serious and life-threatening difficulties.