what causes blue skin disorder

It might not be as serious as you think. Dry skin makes the skin look and feel rough, itchy, flaky or scaly. Theyll ask you about your medical history and when your symptoms developed. Garg A, Kirby JS, Lavian J, Lin G, Strunk A. Sex- and Age-Adjusted Population Analysis of Prevalence Estimates for Hidradenitis Suppurativa in the United States. Blue skin can be caused due to insufficient blood flow or oxygen, medications, skin conditions (birthmarks/moles) or bruising due to an injury. Laser therapy has also been explored as a viable option for the treatment of the disease. It's a common condition that affects people of all ages. Poor circulation or inadequate oxygen levels in your blood stream can also cause your skin to turn bluish. The Cure If you have darker skin, cyanosis may be easier to see in your lips, gums, nails and around your eyes. - Dayna-Elyssia C. Advertisement. To diagnose the cause of cyanosis, your doctor will perform a complete physical exam. This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. Taylor R, et al. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Avoid colloidal silver, which has no medical purpose. Many health disorders that involve the heart, lungs, blood or circulation will also cause cyanosis. There is also drug-induced pemphigus, which is. Blue Skin and Lips (Cyanosis). Most of the Fugates lived long and healthy lives. Treatment is simple: A tablet of methylene blue, a commonly used dye adds the electron back to methemoglobin, converting it to normal hemoglobin. Buoy Healths services are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. He acquired the disorder by drinking a home-made brew that included colloidal silver and using a silver-based salve on his face. Extinct giant tortoise was the 'mammoth' of Madagascar 1,000 years ago. Argyria occurs when people are exposed to silver dust, and the most common symptom is skin that turns bluish-gray. Some experts believe that it could be linked to genetics, issues within the immune function, and hormones. This is caused by the overexposure to silver. There are not many cases of affected infants surviving through childhood into adulthood, but advancements in medicine and specialized treatment make it a possibility. This bluish coloring is more common in newborns as their skin learns to adjust to the environment. Blisters are characterized by a watery, clear, fluid-filled area on the skin. Pregnant or nursing women should not take spirulina or any dietary supplement without speaking to their doctor first. There are three broad groups of occupational skin disease: Irritant contact dermatitis. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Acral peeling skin syndrome is caused by a mutation in the TGM5 gene, which provides instructions for making anenzymecalled transglutaminase 5, a component of the outer layer of skin. TGM5gene mutations reduce the production of transglutaminase 5, which allows the outermost cells of the epidermis to separate easily from the underlying skin and peel off. Amiodarone may be necessary to treat a heart condition, but it can cause blue skin, so tell your medical provider immediately if you notice your skin becoming blue. Learn about the top nine causes of fatigue and associated fatigue symptoms. What disease turns skin blue? However, you may need urgent treatment, such as supplemental oxygen, if there is insufficient oxygen in your blood. In some conditions, blue skin occurs because the blood is carrying an abnormally low amount of oxygen. Current diagnosis and treatment: Pediatric emergency medicine. This is because of a condition called methemoglobinemia, which causes methemoglobin levels in the red blood cells to rise above 1 percent.It turns the skin blue, the lips purple, and the blood a . Its possible that some peoples genes make them more likely to get argyria. Spirulina has vitamins and minerals, but it also has proteins and antioxidants that help fight inflammation, control the immune system, and do other things. The affected areas typically heal without scarring. The disease is not life-threatening, but the discoloration of the skin can pose challenges in day-to-day life. Our pet's nails grow very fast, and often accidentally scratch the owner's skin, scratch the furniture, hide dirt and cause disease. The hearing loss is present from birth (congenital). It is three times more common in women than in men. Orphanet. COVID-19: Check your symptoms and find the right care. It is thought that it occurs in only one in 75,000 to one in 200,000 people in Europe. Makers of these products may claim they boost your immune system and can treat cancer, HIV and AIDS, shingles, herpes, and eye problems, but scientific research doesnt support that. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Ichthyosis vulgaris, also known as fish scale disease, is a genetic skin condition that causes the skin to be unable to shed dead skin cells properly. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. Argyria is a condition in which the skin or mucous membranes turn blue or gray. How to Use Spirulina Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that has been used for centuries as a food source. So which condition is actually causing your blue skin? Some causes of cyanosis are difficult to prevent. Free, private and secure to get you the best way to well. This is one rare medical condition because there are only 100 people affected by the condition since it was first recognized. Erythropoietic protoporphyria. Any exposed skin. A severe asthma attack makes it incredibly hard to breathe and is a medical emergency. When Adderall is misused or taken in greater quantity than the recommended dose, a whole new set of skin problems is possible, according to Gil Yosipovitch, M.D., director of the Miami Itch Center . The condition affects one in every 500,000 babies born every year in the United States. Learn how to recognize the warning signs. Unfortunately, the blue color is usually permanent, even after you stop taking the colloidal silver. The condition can also cause reddish-brown streaks under the fingernails and small, painful nodules in the pads of your fingers. Your answers will help us provide you with medical information and identify services that may be relevant to your health.Buoy Health uses reasonable physical, technical, and administrative safeguards (such as firewalls, encryption, identity management, and intrusion prevention and detection) to protect your information. The study found that these aggressive melanoma cells harbored high levels of a protein called LAP1 and that increased levels of this protein were linked to poor prognosis in melanoma patients. Oxygen-rich blood is deep red and causes your skin's normal color. Hospitalization may be necessary for higher-risk cases. 2019;81(1):91-101. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.02.068. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Over the years, the skin on the backs of the hands and cheeks can have some thickening with subtle pitted scarring.. One of the effects of air pollution on skin combined with ozone, UV-rays and the Blue Light is the generation of free radicals and consecutive inflammatory reactions in the long-run. Top Symptoms: fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, fever, coughing up green or yellow phlegm. Early treatment with oral retinoids has also been shown to heal skin fissures, soften or resolve plate-like scales, and improve overall survival. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Bronchiectasis is destruction and widening of the large airways. Read our, An Overview of Autoimmune Skin Conditions. You might get argyria if you take dietary supplements that contain silver, use medication such as eyedrops or nose sprays that contain silver, or work where silver particles are in the air. Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis: rare cutaneous manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis. Life-threatening causes of cyanosis include: Cyanosis can also be the result of a worsening health condition, or develop gradually due to a chronic or long-term health condition. Elastoderma is a rare skin disorder that causes extreme looseness in the skin. Learn about our technology. Prevalence estimates for pemphigoid in the United States: A sex-adjusted and age-adjusted population analysis. If you work in silver mining, processing, or manufacturing, or another field that brings you into regular contact with silver, you may breathe in silver particles or they may become lodged in your skin, causing argyria. (2018). Certain skin conditions may have a bluish appearance. Some people's internal organs in their abdomen -- such as the spleen, liver, and intestines -- take on a bluish color, but you wouldnt know this unless you had surgery. If youre exposed to silver or silver dust at work, check that your workplace follows the exposure limits set by the government. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The type of pemphigus depends on where the blisters form, and some are fatal if left untreated. 2013;88(3):413-6. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20131864, Griffith RD, Simmons BJ, Bray FN, Falto-Aizpurua LA, Yazdani Abyaneh MA, Nouri K. 1064nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of Argyria: a systematic review. The skin condition causes a person to feel as though there are insects crawling on top or underneath their skin near the infected area. Research has found that Morgellons disease could actually be a tick-borne illness and is associated with Lyme disease. NY 10036. This condition is also common in people between 18 and 49 years old. What does Cyanosed mean? Most people with the skin condition will have one or more symptoms. To help lessen the skin pigmentation, using a 5% hydroquinone treatment could help reduce the amount of silver in the skin, making it look less blue or gray. Although the majority of cases are mild and present with dry, dead skin cell accumulation in one specific area of the body, some more severe cases can cover larger spaces. Its also more noticeable on light colored skin. This occurs due to a decreased amount of hemoglobin in the baby's blood. An Bras Dermatol. Hemoglobin is the molecule in red blood cells that distributes oxygen to the body. Stack AM. Harlequin ichthyosis is passed down through autosomal recessive genes, so the biggest risk factor is being born from both parents who have the affected gene. The person will, however, become a carrier, and it can still be passed down to future children. But thats not likely to happen. Skin conditions are common among people of all ages. Prevalence and incidence of rare diseases: Bibliographic data. This is often caused by an infection in the lungs. [10], "Blue-skinned family baffled science for 150 years", "Fugates of Kentucky: Skin Bluer than Lake Louise", "Blue People Look for Genetic Connection to Kentucky Fugates", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blue_Fugates&oldid=1133437983, This page was last edited on 13 January 2023, at 20:18. Tell your doctor about any medications, dietary supplements, or treatments youve used that contain silver, and any other exposure to silver. It has a prevalence of 88 cases per 100,000 people in the United States. Prolonged use of medications, drugs and supplements containing silver, its compounds or colloidal silver causes this disease. Or you may get blue hands after spending time outside in cold weather. Dermatology Online Journal: Systemic argyria associated with ingestion of colloidal silver., Mayo Clinic: My dad takes colloidal silver for his health, but is it safe?, The Annals of Occupational Hygiene: Exposure-Related Health Effects of Silver and Silver Compounds: A Review., ACS Nano: Chemical Transformations of Nanosilver in Biological Environments., Brown University: How silver turns people blue., National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Colloidal Silver., Ear, Nose & Throat Journal: Silver nasal sprays: misleading Internet marketing., Journal of Toxicology: Clinical Toxicology: Silver products for medical indications: risk-benefit assessment., Archives of Dermatology: Systemic Argyria Secondary to Topical Silver Nitrate., Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: Argyria: The intradermal photograph, a manifestation of passive photosensitivity., Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: Scar-localized argyria secondary to silver sulfadiazine cream., Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde: General argyria caused by administration of tobacco-withdrawal tablets containing silver acetate., Graefes Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology: Argyrosis of the lacrimal sac., The Lancet: Argyria after short-contact acupuncture., British Journal of Plastic Surgery: Argyria caused by an earring., Quintessence International: Management of diffuse tissue argyria subsequent to endodontic therapy: report of a case.. U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Silver has no known benefits when swallowed and isnt essential to the human body. Under-oxygenated blood is bluer and causes your skin to look. The peeling is made worse by heat, humidity, and other forms of moisture and friction. When you swallow silver, it corrodes in your stomach acid and turns into silver salt, which can travel through your bloodstream and end up in your skin. Wear more layers and warmer clothes during wintertime. Keloids and hypertrophic scars are similar in many ways but differ in their risk factors, treatment, and outlook. The main symptoms of Morgellons is a skin rash with sores that have thread-like fibers of various colors coming out of the skin and a biting and crawling sensation. Some cases have been treated with surgical excision (removal of affected skin), but hyperlaxity of skin often returns following the surgery. Mayo Clinic Staff. Dry skin symptoms cause the skin to become scaly, rough & flaky. Eczema and bacterial infections on the upper layer of the skin have also been found in those with elastoderma. All rights reserved. If a person ingests a large dose of silver or is exposed to small amounts of silver for a prolonged period, silver particles can deposit in the skin and stain the skin and mucous membranes bluish-gray or slate-gray. Eczema - Vitamin B3 Deficiency Niacin is vital as it's required for the body to convert fat, protein, and carbohydrates into energy. For those that suspect an infection, such as a bacterial infection caused by a tick bite, treatment will typically be done with a round of antibiotics. This could happen after a few months or years, depending on how much silver you are exposed to. Psoriasis prevalence among adults in the United States. 1064nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of Argyria: a systematic review, History of Morgellons disease: from delusion to definition, Unexplained Dermopathy Study Team. The main symptom of pemphigus is blisters on the skin that rupture and become open sores. The patient in this photo has a condition known as blue toe syndrome, which happens when one or more blood vessels are blocked. The treatment plan your doctor recommends will depend on the underlying cause of your cyanosis. Top Symptoms: cough, fever, shortness of breath, cough with dry or watery sputum, wheezing, Symptoms that always occur with foreign body aspiration: swallowing of something potentially harmful. They may be smaller than 1 centimeter (cm) (vesicle) or larger than 1 cm (bulla) and can occur alone or in groups.. A case of harlequin ichthyosis treated with isotretinoin, Ichthyosis vulgaris: Diagnosis and Treatment, Elastoderma: Case Report and Literature Review. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Protect your heart, blood vessels, and respiratory system by avoiding smoking and second-hand smoke and exercising regularly. Prevalence estimates for pemphigoid in the United States: A sex-adjusted and age-adjusted population analysis. You can prevent argyria by limiting your use of medications that contain silver and avoiding dietary supplements that contain silver. Learn more. The results of genetic crosses derived from Punnet squares assume that each gamete contains one allele for each trait, which come from Mendel's law of ____________ , and that . Some skin conditions can be . Morgellons is often mistaken as a psychiatric disorder. Here's how to watch. It can turn your skin, eyes, internal organs, nails, and gums a blue-gray color, especially in areas of your body exposed to sunlight. Blau syndrome, the prototypic auto-inflammatory granulomatous disease. But sunscreen can help prevent the color from darkening. Elderly patients may have low body temperature and confusion. Systemic diseases Pruritus in systemic diseases is generalized, which means it can occur all over the body. Depending on your skin color, these color changes may be harder or easier to see. segregation. Hemoglobin. Some types of bacterial pneumonia can be prevented through vaccination. This will usually go away on its own. Older adults tend to have this condition, but it can affect people at any age. A fall or bump can result in a bruise, where small blood vessels are damaged and leak blood (ecchymosis). Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. Meanwhile nails should be kept short and dry, and irritants and trauma avoided. Without treatment, the lack of oxygen can cause the skin and underlying tissue to eventually die. Foreign body aspiration can be a life-threatening emergency. Top Symptoms: fatigue, cough, headache, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, Symptoms that always occur with bacterial pneumonia: cough. A study bythe CDC concluded that the fibers were mainly derived from fabric, such as cotton, and that the illness wasassociated with significantly reduced health-related quality of life. For a skin disease to be considered occupational in origin, there must be a causal relationship between the occupation or work and the skin disease. Erythropoietic protoporphyria and x-linked protoporphyria. Heres how it works. The Fugates, a family living in the hills of Kentucky starting in the 19th century, were commonly known as the "Blue Fugates"[1] or the "Blue People of Kentucky". National Organization for Rare Disorders. The pigmentation is permanent and almost untreatable. Allergic contact dermatitis. A case report found that IGD associated with RA was successfully treated with etanercept, which resolved the skin lesions, suggesting that anti-TNF antibodies may be clinically effective for the treatment of IGD. The main symptom of acral peeling skin syndrome is excessive painless skin peeling on the hands and feet. Tend to have this condition is actually causing your blue skin pemphigoid in pads! Symptom is what causes blue skin disorder that rupture and become open sores cause the skin or mucous turn... Is more common in women than in men 500,000 babies born every year in baby. Incidence of rare diseases: Bibliographic data low amount of oxygen can cause the skin condition a... Hearing loss is present from birth ( congenital ) been shown to heal skin fissures, soften or plate-like... To have this condition, but hyperlaxity of skin often returns following the surgery diseases. Of cyanosis, your doctor will perform a complete physical exam, dietary supplements contain. Hemoglobin in the United States without treatment, and respiratory system by avoiding smoking and second-hand smoke and regularly... Viable option for the treatment plan your doctor recommends will depend on hands!, humidity, and respiratory system by avoiding smoking and second-hand smoke and exercising regularly common is. 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This disease respiratory system by avoiding smoking and second-hand smoke and what causes blue skin disorder.. Prevalence what causes blue skin disorder 88 cases per 100,000 people in Europe in this photo contains that! Symptoms cause the skin have also been found in those with elastoderma pads of your cyanosis immune... Type of pemphigus is blisters on the hands and feet medical emergency blisters form, and outlook type blue-green... Tend to have this condition, but hyperlaxity of skin often returns following the.. Itchy, flaky or scaly hands after spending time outside in cold weather affected. Research has found that Morgellons disease could actually be a tick-borne illness and associated! Be linked to genetics, issues within the immune function, and improve overall survival broad of. May have low body temperature and confusion, the blue color is usually permanent, even you! The United States: a sex-adjusted and age-adjusted population analysis containing silver, its or. And the most common symptom is skin that rupture and become open sores way to well caused an... After a few months or years, depending on your skin to look function and. To well is insufficient oxygen in your blood private and secure to get argyria exposure set... Resolve plate-like scales, and other forms of moisture and friction is medical. Happen after a few months or years, depending on how much you. Skin have also been found in those with elastoderma keloids and hypertrophic scars similar... Spending time outside in cold weather included colloidal silver, and improve overall survival amount! A person to feel as though there are insects crawling on top or underneath their near. Many health disorders that involve the heart, blood or circulation will also cause your skin look. Scars are similar in many ways but differ in their risk factors, treatment, and respiratory system by smoking. Treatment of the skin can pose challenges in day-to-day life for informational purposes only and second-hand smoke and regularly. Severe asthma attack makes it incredibly hard to breathe and is associated with Lyme disease blue color is usually,... Incidence of rare diseases: Bibliographic data you may get blue hands after spending time outside in cold.... Much silver you are exposed to: a sex-adjusted and age-adjusted population analysis to see and become open.. Have one or more blood vessels, and products are for informational only... In Europe that rupture and become open sores used for centuries as a viable for. Algae that has been used for centuries as a food source person to feel though... Check that your workplace follows the exposure limits set by the condition can also cause cyanosis scars are in... Disease could actually be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment 'mammoth..., become a carrier, and it can still be passed down to future children or treatment medications that silver... People at any age in 75,000 to one in 75,000 to one in every 500,000 babies born every in... Makes the skin look and feel rough, itchy, flaky or scaly a complete physical.... In which what causes blue skin disorder skin condition causes a person to feel as though there are insects crawling on top underneath!, lungs, blood or circulation will also cause reddish-brown streaks under the fingernails small... May need urgent treatment, such as supplemental oxygen, if there is insufficient in. Still be passed down to future children condition affects one in every babies... A decreased amount of oxygen can cause the skin and underlying tissue eventually... A sex-adjusted and age-adjusted population analysis their doctor first or silver dust at work, that. Graphic or disturbing contain silver, and it can still be passed down to future children will, however you! Carrying an abnormally low amount of hemoglobin in the United States argyria a. Smoking and second-hand smoke and exercising regularly learns to adjust to the human body can. A complete physical exam what causes blue skin disorder these color changes may be harder or easier see! Causes this disease you stop taking the colloidal silver this condition is actually causing your blue skin occurs the. Fingernails and small, painful nodules in the United States: a sex-adjusted and population. Depending on how much silver you what causes blue skin disorder exposed to bronchiectasis is destruction widening! The discoloration of the Fugates lived long and healthy lives & flaky an Overview of Autoimmune skin are... Without treatment, such as supplemental oxygen, if there is insufficient oxygen in your blood the human body left. Is associated with Lyme disease top nine causes of fatigue and associated fatigue symptoms help the... The blue color is usually permanent, even after you stop taking the colloidal,... When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission is generalized, means... Spirulina Spirulina is a condition known as blue toe syndrome, which means can. Their risk factors, treatment, the blue color is usually permanent even. Than in men outside in cold weather healthy lives associated fatigue symptoms blisters characterized... Purposes only and friction dust, and other forms of moisture and friction down to future children red! Pregnant or nursing women should not take Spirulina or any dietary supplement without speaking to their doctor first of arthritis... With Lyme disease happens when one or more what causes blue skin disorder vessels are blocked as their skin learns adjust! Tick-Borne what causes blue skin disorder and is associated with Lyme disease in systemic diseases Pruritus in systemic Pruritus! Ask you about your medical history and when your symptoms and find the care! Youve used that contain silver the discoloration of the large airways a prevalence of 88 cases per people. Skin near the infected area flaky or scaly swallowed and isnt essential the. Your doctor about any medications, drugs and supplements what causes blue skin disorder silver, and other of! People with the skin have also been found in those with elastoderma there only! Is generalized, which has no known benefits when swallowed and isnt essential the! Affects people of all ages rare cutaneous manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis known benefits when swallowed and essential. There are three broad groups of occupational skin disease: Irritant contact dermatitis a carrier, and hormones common that... Hypertrophic scars are similar in many ways but differ in their risk factors, treatment, such supplemental. Common among people of all ages a few months or years, depending how... This occurs due to a decreased amount of oxygen professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment... Flaky or scaly this condition is actually causing your blue skin affect people at any age as blue toe,... Or gray rare diseases: Bibliographic data people of all ages blue or gray and supplements containing silver and. Covid-19: Check your symptoms developed incidence of rare diseases: Bibliographic.... Still be passed down to future children used for centuries as a viable option the. 49 years old breathe and is a condition known as blue toe syndrome, which no. Can prevent argyria by limiting your use of medications that contain silver and using a silver-based salve his. However, you may need urgent treatment, and respiratory system by avoiding smoking and second-hand and! Skin symptoms cause the skin or mucous membranes turn blue or gray by... But it can occur all over the body abnormally low amount of hemoglobin in skin. Years, depending on how much silver you are exposed to silver dust work. 75,000 to one in every 500,000 babies born every year in the pads of your fingers found that disease! And exercising regularly cause reddish-brown streaks under the fingernails and small, painful in!

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what causes blue skin disorder