Cyanosis

<p>Cyanosis is the change of body <a href="/facts/Tissue_(biology)/H7CpML7A">tissue</a> color to a bluish-purple hue, as a result of decrease in the amount of oxygen bound to the <a href="/facts/Hemoglobin/RsD1MzYA">hemoglobin</a> in the <a href="/facts/Red_blood_cell/Kggpq8Jh">red blood cells</a> of the <a href="/facts/Capillary_bed/4BIzKJAe">capillary bed</a>. Cyanosis is apparent usually in the  <a href="/facts/Tissue_(biology)/H7CpML7A">body tissues</a> covered with thin <a href="/facts/Skin/4havlLzG">skin</a>, including the <a href="/facts/Mucous_membrane/oIw0vyel">mucous membranes</a>, lips, <a href="/facts/Nail_beds/s3GJf9R2">nail beds</a>, and ear lobes. Some medications may cause discoloration such as medications containing <a href="/facts/Amiodarone/rywCcA6L">amiodarone</a> or <a href="/facts/Silver/xXe41BGg">silver</a>. Furthermore, <a href="/facts/Mongolian_spot/FEBWk3gV">mongolian spots</a>, large birthmarks, and the consumption of food products with blue or purple dyes can also result in the bluish skin tissue discoloration and may be mistaken for cyanosis.  Appropriate <a href="/facts/Physical_examination/qzI0BK5P">physical examination</a> and history taking is a crucial part to diagnose cyanosis. Management of cyanosis involves treating the main cause, as cyanosis is not a disease, but rather a <a href="/facts/Symptom/BzP6MrTN">symptom</a>.
</p><p>Cyanosis is further classified into central cyanosis and peripheral cyanosis.
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Cyanosis open-in-new

Cyanosis