Question 1

What is Cyanosis?

Accepted Answer

Cyanosis is generally a medical condition in which there's a blue tint to the skin, indicating the body is not receiving enough oxygen-rich blood.

Question 2

What is cyanosis a symptom of?

Accepted Answer

Cyanosis occurs when oxygen-depleted (deoxygenated) blood, which is bluish rather than red, circulates through the skin. Cyanosis can be caused by many types of severe lung or heart disease that cause levels of oxygen in the blood to be low.

Question 3

What are the principal reasons for cyanosis?

Accepted Answer

The three primary reasons for cyanosis include decreased pumping of blood by the heart or reduced cardiac output often seen in heart failure or circulatory shock. Diseases of circulation like thrombosis or embolism, and constriction of blood vessels of the limbs, fingers, and toes (due to exposure to cold, spasm of the smaller skin capillaries or arteries called acrocyanosis).

The other leading causes of Cyanosis in both adults and newborns include:

Birth injury (Asphyxia)
Pulmonary or Lung Edema
Diaphragmatic Hernia
Severe Pneumonia
Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
Acute Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Question 4

Is cyanosis a sign of a heart attack?

Accepted Answer

In heart failure, lung embolism, pneumonia, or acute severe attack of asthma, the cyanosis may have a sudden or abrupt onset as the patient ‘begins to turn blue’ due to lack of oxygen. On the other hand, patients with chronic obstructive lung disease or COPD often develop cyanosis gradually over many years.

Question 5

Should I treat blue lips in my child?

Accepted Answer

It's common for newborns to have some areas of blue skin once in a while. But if your baby's lips, mouth, head, or trunk are blue, seek emergency medical help.

Question 6

What's the cause of my baby's skin turning blue?

Accepted Answer

There are two reasons why the blood under your baby's skin may look blue:

The lungs are not getting enough oxygen. Since it is the oxygen that makes the blood turn red in colour, blood cells without oxygen remain blue.

Since the underlying blood displays a slow movement, the normal veins underneath, which carry blue, oxygen-poor blood back to the heart, are more noticeable.

Question 7

How long does Cyanosis last?

Accepted Answer

It is a common finding and may persist for 24 to 48 hours. Central cyanosis, caused by reduced arterial oxygen saturation, lasts for nearly 5 to 10 minutes in newborns as the oxygen saturation rises to 85%-95% within 10 minutes after birth.

Question 8

Can anaemia cause cyanosis?

Accepted Answer

Cyanosis is caused by an increase in the deoxygenated haemoglobin level above 5 g/dL. Patients who have anaemia do not develop cyanosis until the oxygen saturation (also called SaO2) falls below normal haemoglobin levels.

Question 9

How to differentiate between mild cyanosis and severe cyanosis?

Accepted Answer

Babies who suffer from cyanotic heart disease are often referred to as “Blue Babies”. To determine if the cyanosis is mild or severe can be done by analysing the following:

The nature of the defect
The age of the child
The level of activity

In general, cyanosis is known to worsen with activity, and only proper resting can one bring it down. Dark skin complexion and the presence of anaemia can often make it hard for parents and doctors to recognise signs of mild cyanosis.

Question 10

Which speciality doctor should I consult in case my baby has Cyanosis?

Accepted Answer

You should immediately go to the emergency room at the nearest hospital. The doctor there will refer you to a neonatologist.

Question 11

Why do my nails look a bit bluish or purplish in colour?

Accepted Answer

Blue or purple nails, especially the area around the base of the nails can be caused by a condition called Cyanosis. You may notice it on other parts of your body too, such as lips, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or even earlobes.

Question 12

How are Cyanosis and hypoxia related?

Accepted Answer

Cyanosis is a late-stage symptom of hypoxia, where vasoconstriction of the Peripheral blood vessels or decreased haemoglobin are responsible for the bluish cast of the skin.

Question 13

Why does Cyanosis occur?

Accepted Answer

Cyanosis occurs due to the lack of oxygen in your blood. It happens when the tissues of your body do not receive blood with the requisite levels of oxygen, for a variety of reasons.

Question 14

Is Cyanosis a serious condition?

Accepted Answer

Cyanosis could be considered a significantly serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.

Question 15

What’s the primary difference between Peripheral and Central Cyanosis?

Accepted Answer

Peripheral cyanosis is primarily caused in an individual due to low blood pressure, Raynaud’s syndrome (fingers and toes become painful and blue in cold temperatures), hypothermia, or heart failure. The skin turning blue-green and affected body parts feeling cold to the touch are common signs of peripheral cyanosis. The key difference between peripheral and central cyanosis is that the former affects an individual’s hands or legs, and other external body parts like fingernails and feet, and can be seen either on one side of the body or both sides in equal proportions. Central cyanosis affects the core organs of the body causing a blue-green tint across the lips and tongue. Unlike peripheral, symptoms of central cyanosis don’t get better when the body part is heated up. In both forms of cyanosis, you would notice problems with the heart, lungs, or nervous system.

Question 16

What is Peripheral Cyanosis?

Accepted Answer

Cyanosis refers to a blue tint to the skin and mucous membranes. Peripheral Cyanosis is a condition wherein there is a bluish discolouration to your hands or feet. It is generally said to be usually caused by low oxygen levels in the red blood cells or problems getting oxygenated blood to your body. Blood that’s rich in oxygen is the bright red colour typically associated with blood. When blood has a lower level of oxygen and becomes a darker red, more blue light is reflected, making the skin appear to have a blue tint.

In some cases, cold temperatures are said to cause blood vessel narrowing and lead to temporarily blue-tinged skin. Warming or massaging the blue areas should return normal blood flow and colour to the skin.

Question 17

What is Central Cyanosis?

Accepted Answer

Central Cyanosis is a condition that is often caused due to a circulatory or ventilatory issue that leads to poor blood oxygenation in the lungs. It generally occurs when arterial oxygen saturation drops below 85% or 75%.

Question 18

What is Differential Cyanosis?

Accepted Answer

It is the term used for conditions where the Cyanosis is present in certain parts and absent in others.

Only of lower limbs: due to patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with reversal of shunt.
Only of upper limbs: due to PDA with reversal of shunt in transposition of great vessels.
Cyanosis of left upper and both lower limbs: due to PDA with reversal of shunt and pre-ductal coarctation of the aorta.

Question 19

What is Pseudocyanosis?

Accepted Answer

Pseudocyanosis is a condition that’s prevalent when a bluish tint is observed on the skin and/or mucous membranes; however, there may not be hypoxemia or Peripheral vasoconstriction.

This condition is normally prevalent when there is an absence of either heart or lung disease and the skin also does not blanch under exertion of pressure.

It has been found that common metals like silver, lead or even drugs like phenothiazines, amiodarone, and chloroquine hydrochloride, usually cause this condition.

Question 20

Why does my tongue have a bluish or purple cast or spotting?

Accepted Answer

The consumption of certain foods and beverages is normally the most common cause of a purple tongue or spotting.

If no such foods or beverages are consumed, then these causes of tongue staining with a purple or blue tint can be ruled out. This could then be a sign that the blood isn’t delivering adequate oxygen to the body’s tissues. Or, that blood with low oxygen levels, which is normally dark red, rather than bright red — is what is circulating through the arteries.

The blueish tint or cast that is seen due to this condition is called cyanosis. Cyanosis can also be caused by conditions that impact the lungs or heart, like coronary artery disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This blue tint may be prevalent in places other than just the tongue.

The tongue can also turn bluish or purple due to low oxygen levels or an obstruction in the airways.

In situations like these, a purple or blue tongue is the sign of a medical emergency. Seeking emergency medical aid if the tongue is discoloured, appears suddenly or is even seen to be accompanied by:

gasping for breath
breathing difficulties
pain in the chest
dizziness
fainting

Question 21

How to check for Cyanosis?

Accepted Answer

Pulse oximetry, coupled with clinical symptoms can quickly diagnose Cyanosis.

Cyanosis (Blue colouration of lips, feet, body):