Cyanosis or purple skin: causes, diagnosis and treatment

Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes, which is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood.

By: Valentina Diaz Ospina

February 15, 2023

The cyanosis is a bluish discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes, which is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. The blood cells, which carry a full supply of oxygen, are bright red, giving the skin a pink or red hue. However, blood that has lost its oxygen becomes a dark bluish-red color, giving a bluish tint to the skin, which is called cyanosis.

Depending on the cause, the cyanosis it can come on suddenly, along with shortness of breath and other symptoms that are usually not serious. It should be noted that when blood oxygen levels have dropped by only a small amount, the cyanosis it may be more difficult to detect.

What are the causes of cyanosis?

There are different types of cyanosis and, therefore, the causes may be different.

Cyanosis in a part of the body

The causes can be:

A blood clot that blocks the blood supply to the leg, foot, hand, or arm.
He Raynaud’s phenomenon, a condition in which cold temperatures or strong emotions cause vascular spasms. These spasms block blood flow to the fingers, toes, ears, and nose.

Cyanosis due to lack of oxygen in the blood

This type of cyanosisthe most frequent, can be caused by:

clots in the arteries of the lungs.
Imminent suffocation or drowning.
Meet at high altitudes.
Infection in the smaller airways in the lungs of children, called bronchiolitis.
Long-term lung problems that become more serious
Pneumonia.
Problems with the airways leading to the lungs.
Heart problems.
In case of suffering cyanosis caused by exposure to cold or Raynaud’s phenomenonwarm clothing should be worn when going outside or staying in a well-heated space.

When to contact the doctor?

Purple or cyanotic skin can be a symptom of more serious health problems, so see a doctor if your child has purple skin and:

You have trouble breathing.
His chest muscles are pulling in with each breath.
The child breathes more frequently than 50 to 60 breaths per minute (when not crying).
The boy makes a growling noise.
The little one sits with hunched shoulders.
He is very tired and does not move much.
Has a limp or limp body.
The nostrils flare when the child breathes.
He loses his appetite, is irritable, and has difficulty sleeping.

How is it diagnosed?

The tests that are carried out to detect the cyanosis These are: arterial blood gases, blood oxygen saturation using pulse oximetry, chest x-ray, chest CT scan, and complete blood count, among others.
In the case of children, it will be the pediatrician who will indicate the tests to be carried out to diagnose the disorder.

Which is the treatment?

if you suffer cyanosis Caused by exposure to cold, the child should be warmed immediately, wearing suitable warm clothing and taking shelter in a heated space.
And at cyanosis is due to congenital heart defects, may involve surgery.
It can be treated by oxygenation, using a breathing machine or ventilator as directed by the doctor.
In some cases, it can be treated cyanosis by administration of intravenous fluids.
Children with congenital heart disease require regular, up-to-date immunizations to prevent infection.
Babies found to have transposition of the great arteries (TGA) as the cause of cyanosis at birth, they may be given a prostaglandin injection as a form of treatment.
The cyanosis due to other causes like low blood sugar can be managed by glucose infusions and glucose administration.