Blood deficient in oxygen tend to be bluish-red, and they do not supply enough oxygen to the tissues leading to a condition known as cyanosis. Inadequate oxygen levels in the blood due to deficient inhaled oxygen leads to bluish discoloration of the skin in conditions like high altitudes, drowning, pulmonary embolism, choking, etc. Other conditions causing bluish discoloration of the skin are tetralogy of Fallot (congenital heart condition), argyria (blue-gray skin due to excessive silver build-up in the body), anemia, heart failure, cyanide poisoning, drug overdose, Raynaud's phenomenon, and prolonged cold exposure.
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After a fall my child's cheek turned blue. What to do?
Query: Hi doctor, My child fell from a seesaw. He got hurt near his cheek and that area turned blue. There was no bleeding at all. It is there for over 2 to 3 days. Today, we saw the blue area extended near the eye. What should we do now? I have attached the photos for your reference. Please suggest. Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concerns and I have thoroughly gone through the photos (attachment removed to protect patient identity). The bluish discoloration signifies that there was bleeding at that region due to trauma and now it is healing. The bluishness which is reaching t... Read Full »
Does vasoconstriction occur due to an allergy to antihistamines?
Query: Hi doctor, I am having major vasoconstriction problems. I would like to know if my daily antihistamines intake is causing this problem. I am taking Loratadine and Fexofenadine hydrochloride daily for allergies. Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I would like to know in detail, what you mean by vasoconstriction problems? Is it affecting your hands or your feet or anywhere in the nasal bed? Do you experience any bluish discoloration of the nails or hands? Do you have any pain in the hands or feet? Do you have ul... Read Full »
Why is the finger shrinking post replantation surgery?
Query: Hello doctor, My 9-year-old son underwent a finger replantation surgery two days ago. Yesterday, the finger was quite normal but today it is becoming little dry and shrinking. How can the finger be saved? Please help. I have attached few photographs. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The replanted finger usually cannot be commented upon until 48 to 72 hours of the procedure. The finger may seem to be normal until then. The common cause of failure includes venous congestion where the finger turns bluish and edematous. As you have mentioned, the ... Read Full »
Why do I have swelling and bluish discoloration in my foot after I fell on my knees?
Query: Hello doctor, I fell on my knees one week back, for which I got an X-ray and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan done, and the report said that my PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) is stretched. However, my foot is swollen and are bluish on the sides. Kindly help me. Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and understand your concern. There is no need to worry about the foot as it can be due to a soft tissue injury, and you can continue with the medications and apply the ice pack for the same. However, I would suggest wearing knee braces full time and t... Read Full »
Do atherosclerotic calcifications cause leg pain and blue feet in a dependent position?
Query: Hi doctor,I have SVT. I have been having back pain and leg pain. I have a previous history of GERD and premature ovarian failure. I got CBC and CMP done. Can you tell me what mild atherosclerotic vascular calcification in CT scan means and if it is dangerous? Kindly guide me. Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Aorta is the largest artery in the body. It gets atherosclerotic changes over the lifetime of a person. Some have fast, and some have a slow process of atherosclerosis. Mild atherosclerotic changes are not dangerous. Every person has these changes. Some have more, some ... Read Full »
I have severe constipation and bloating problem, with slight vaginal bleeding. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor, I am a 22 year old female, and I have been experiencing major constipation from the last month. Every time I eat, I experience bloating, and I am unable to go to the toilet later on. Have tried taking Sennetabs, Metamucil, increasing fiber, and water in the diet. I have this problem... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I would need a little bit more history, How many times during a week do you have a bowel movement? Please go online and type Bristol stool chart, and let me know the consistency and type of the stools you are having in general from a month. Have you had diarrhea before... Read Full »
Why is my foot turning dark purple or black when it is not grounded?
Query: Hi doctor, I am 14 years old and I hurt my foot four days back due to tumbling. I was doing a flip and landed in a pothole. My foot got hurt bad and I was able to ignore it. The next day, when I stepped down I got extreme pain and I still walked with it on that day. I went to urgent care after a da... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. You are having dysvascular changes as you have noticed the color returned back to normal when you kept the legs elevated. Foot going to sleep is a nerve pressure symptom and again regular changes in position will help it as the pressure from sitting on the bum can compr... Read Full »
What could cause bluish discoloration in a 3-year-old baby?
Query: Hello doctor, My daughter is 4 years old. She has been having blue spells since she was 9 months old. It occurs for about 20- 45 minutes. The left ventricle murmur was found when she was 3 years old. She goes blue around the mouth, lips, nail beds when the capillary refill is delayed. And sometimes... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thanks for sharing her picture (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Please avoid worry. She will be fine. Based on your explanation, her symptoms are consistent with congenital heart disease. They often present with these symptoms. These def... Read Full »
How to treat swollen foot with bluish discoloration in an 82-year-old?
Query: Hello doctor, Patient is an 82-year-old female. She weighs only about 45 kg. No BP, no diabetes. She is having inflammation and swelling in the right foot. It seems to be a blockage somewhere in the right foot blood vessel and it appears bluish one month back. And now it subsided a bit but the sw... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Her foot appears to be in good condition now (attachment removed to protect patient identity). The likely cause for bluish discoloration is blockages only and is called peripheral arterial disease. So of she should be treated on the line of blockages itself. Now blo... Read Full »
Why do my hands swell and cause intense pain?
Query: Hello doctor, I can notice some dots in vision when I heat up fast. My hands shake when I go into attack. I have blue fingers in cold; red swollen fingers and toes when it is hot outside also. I have intense pain everywhere when my hands are swollen. Please help. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. There is a condition called Raynaud's phenomenon, in which the finger tips turn blue on exposure to cold. Subsequently, when the hands are warmed they turn white, then red and then normal. This could be a benign condition, especially in young ladies. Sometimes, it may ... Read Full »