Skin discoloration, bluish

Alternative names:

bluish lips and fingernails; bluish skin; cyanosis; fingernails, bluish; Lab findigns of hypoxemia; lips, bluish

Home care:

For cyanosis caused by exposure to cold, dress warmly when going outside or stay in a well-heated room.

Call your health care provider if:

• there is any unexplained, severe, or prolonged cyanosis.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed. In emergency situations (such as shock), the patient will be stabilized first.

Medical history questions documenting cyanosis in detail may include:

• time pattern
  • When did it develop?
  • Did it develop suddenly?
  • Has it been developing slowly?

• quality
  • Are the lips blue?
  • Are the nailbeds blue?
  • Is the body blue all over?

• aggravating factors
  • Have you had an exposure to cold?
  • Have you suddenly gone to a high altitude?
  • Have you inhaled anything?

• other
  • What other symptoms are also present?
  • Is there difficulty breathing?
  • Is there ankle, feet, and leg swelling?
  • Is there a cough?

The physical examination will include listening to the breath sounds (auscultation) and detailed examination of the chest and breathing patterns.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• arterial blood gas analysis
• complete blood count (CBC)
• chest X-ray
• ECG

For shortness of breath and cyanosis, supplemental oxygen may be administered.

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to bluish skin discoloration to your personal medical record.