Paleness

Alternative names:

pallor; skin pale or gray

Home care:

For paleness caused by anemia, consult your doctor about treatment for the underlying cause. Consider any medications you may be taking as a possible cause, and talk to your health care provider about them.

Call your health care provider if:

• a person suddenly develops generalized pallor. Emergency interventions should be taken, if necessary, to maintain adequate circulation.
• paleness is accompanied by shortness of breath, blood in the stool, or other unexplained symptoms.

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

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting your pallor in detail may include:

• time pattern
  • Did it develop suddenly?
  • Did it develop in response to reminders of a traumatic event?

• location
  • Is it all over (generalized)?
  • Is it only in one location?
    • What location?

• other
  • What other symptoms are also present?
  • Is there pain in an affected body part?
  • Is there shortness of breath?
  • Is there blood in the stool?
  • Are you vomiting blood?
  • Is there a pale arm or hand, or leg or foot, and the pulse cannot be felt in the area?

Physical examination:
Depending on the patient's condition, vital signs (temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, blood pressure), fluid intake and output, ECG, and hemodynamic status may be monitored frequently.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• extremity arteriography (if pallor is localized)
• blood studies (CBC or blood differential)
• bone marrow biopsy and exam (if pallor is chronic)

After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider related to pallor, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.