what causes blue skin disorder

The content available on buoy.com is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In years past, before the advent of antibiotics, silver nitrate and colloidal silver were used as antiseptics these, too, caused argyria. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. 3. Waardenburg syndrome is a group of genetic conditions that can cause hearing loss and changes in coloring (pigmentation) of the hair, skin, and eyes. Methemoglobinemia is a blood disorder in which an abnormally high amount of methemoglobin a form of. As the injury heals and blood is broken down into its components, the color of the bruise changes to yellow or green. Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis successfully treated with etanercept. 13. Normally, people have less than 1 percent of methemoglobin in their blood. Afamelanotide has been reported to be effective for EPP. If an area of your skin is blue (or purple) when you're warm, that's can be a sign your blood isn't getting enough oxygen. Morgellons is often mistaken as a psychiatric disorder. These may irritate active eczema, Apply lotions and creams to damp skin to trap in the moisture (within three minutes of showering/bathing), Lotionand creams can be kept underocclusionfor one or two hours with a cling-film wrap to enhance skin hydration, Gently rub a pumice stone on wet skin to help remove thickened crusty skin, Brush washedhairto removescalesfrom scalp, A lack of recoil of the skin, or the skin tissues inability to take on its original shape after being deformed, Increase sensitivity to sound, taste, smell, or touch (hyperesthesia), Red or skin-coloured patches,papules,andplaques, Lesions wax and wane, and may vary in size and shape over days to months, The lesions tend to be symmetrically distributed on the trunk, butproximallimbs may also be affected, A history of autoimmune diseases, such asmyasthenia gravis,systemic lupus erythematosus, or thymoma, Regular use of certain medications: Chelating agents, such as penicillamine, ACE inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, antibiotics, such as penicillin, anti-seizure medications, such as phenobarbital, and thiols, Pustules,fluctuantpseudocysts, and abscesses, Draining sinuses linking inflammatorylesions, Family history of hidradenitis suppurativa, Obesity andinsulinresistance (metabolicsyndrome), Inflammatory bowel disease, particularly Crohn's disease, Other skin disorders, includingpsoriasis,acne,hirsutism, Comorbidities like hypertension, diabetes mellitus,dyslipidaemia, thyroid disorders,arthropathies,polycystic ovary syndrome, adverse cardiovascular outcomes, Syndromes like PAPA syndrome, PASH syndrome, and PAPASH syndrome, Pain medications, both over the counter and prescription strength, Hair that can be plucked easier than what is typical. Pneumonia is often contracted in hospitals or nursing homes. The whites of your eyes and nail beds may also turn blue-gray. 2018;11:71-90. doi:10.2147/CCID.S152343, Pearson ML, Selby JV, Katz KA, Cantrell V, Braden CR, Parise ME, Paddock CD, Lewin-Smith MR, Kalasinsky VF, Goldstein FC, Hightower AW, Papier A, Lewis B, Motipara S, Eberhard ML; Unexplained Dermopathy Study Team. Foreign body aspiration can be a life-threatening emergency. Affected children have unaffected parents. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Feeling sleepy can be caused by things like [1-10]: Troubled sleep. There have been rare cases of argyria caused by silver-coated acupuncture needles, silver earrings, and dental pieces. There are, however, some skin conditions that are so rare and severe that they require specialized medical treatment. Cyanosis that is caused by long-term heart or lung problems may develop slowly. In many cases, blue tint in the sclera occurs as a symptom of an underlying condition, or as a reaction to certain medication. Argyria is a condition in which the skin or mucous membranes turn blue or gray. Erythropoietic protoporphyria and x-linked protoporphyria. Pemphigus vulgaris (70% of all pemphigus cases) begins in the mouth and then occurs on the skin or genital area. Pemphigus foliaceus affects only the skin and often develops on the face, scalp, and upper body. Just like drinking, smoking can age your eyes faster than they would normally. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, The disorder can cause heart abnormalities and seizures if the amount of methemoglobin in the blood exceeds 20 percent, but at levels between 10 and 20 percent it can cause blue skin without other symptoms. It consists of tiny silver particles in a liquid. The preferred ointments include Vaseline or plain petroleum jelly as other types such as corticosteroids and retinoids have shown no efficacy in the treatment of the condition and can even cause adverse reactions., If blister develop, they may be lanced with a sterile needle. Some skin conditions can be . 2012;7(1):e29908. If your doctor thinks you may have argyria, youll get a physical exam and answer questions about your history and medications. When those levels rise to greater than 20 percent, heart abnormalities, seizures and even death can occur. If you take medication that contains silver for a long time, it can cause argyria. Raynauds phenomenon can be a sign of an underlying medical condition, so it is important to see a medical provider. Dermatitis. Colloidal silver. LoCicero R. Methemoglobinemia. 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. Some cases have been treated with surgical excision (removal of affected skin), but hyperlaxity of skin often returns following the surgery. The discoloration may stand out most on your forehead, nose, hands, and other areas that are exposed to the sun. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Itchy skin is the most common symptom of eczema. Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. It can turn your skin, eyes, internal organs, nails, and gums a blue-gray color, especially in areas of your body exposed to sunlight. There are other unidentified disease causes as well. He is a clinical professor at the University of Colorado in Denver, and co-founder and practicing dermatologist at the Boulder Valley Center for Dermatology in Colorado. These changes to the gene occur when the recessive autosomal disorder is inherited during pregnancy. 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. Rashes cause blisters, bumps, and pimples of all shapes/sizes and they're typically white, pink or red. Pemphigus is an autoimmune skin disease that causes blisters and sores on the skin, in the mouth or throat, or on the genitals. In serious cases, movement of the chest can be limited, which can lead to issues with breathing and respiratory failure. This condition is most commonly found in middle-aged women. Areas of skin that turn white then blue. The lesions tend to persist for weeks or months, and heal very slowly. If your hands turned blue after exposure to the cold, you may have a condition called Raynauds phenomenon. Argyria occurs when people are exposed to silver dust, and the most common symptom is skin that turns bluish-gray. That change in your skin color is permanent. 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. Under-oxygenated blood is bluer and causes your skin to look bluish purple. If silver builds up in the body over a long time, it can cause a condition called argyria. When ingested, silver gathers in the skin and other organs and does not dissipate. Some medications used to help control symptoms include: Soft diets may help until the lesions heal. In this therapy, you will receive oxygen through a mask or a tube placed in your nose. Cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) is a condition present at birth. You can prevent argyria by limiting your use of medications that contain silver and avoiding dietary supplements that contain silver. Research has suggested that it is a cutaneous form of rheumatoid arthritis. In many cases, removing the factor that caused the discoloration or undergoing medical treatment will allow the skin to return to its normal color. Without treatment, the lack of oxygen can cause the skin and underlying tissue to eventually die. It typically occurs in one in every 250 people, and accounts for close to 95% of all ichthyosis cases.. Get vaccinated to prevent respiratory infections and serious illnesses. Am J Case Rep. 2014;15:94-6. doi:10.12659/AJCR.890074, Wertenteil S, Garg A, Strunk A, Alloo A. It's a common condition that affects people of all ages. conditions of autosomal recessive. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforce a limit of 0.01 mg/m3 for metallic and soluble silver compounds. Most people with the skin condition will have one or more symptoms. The FDA says over-the-counter drugs and supplements containing colloidal silver or silver salts arent safe and effective. What is the function of melanin? Despite having the disorder, most of the Fugates lived into their 80s and 90s with no significant health problems. Angelica Bottaro is a writer with expertise in many facets of health including chronic disease, Lyme disease, nutrition as medicine, and supplementation. This is often caused by an infection in the lungs. Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis (IGD) is a rare skin disorder that presents as a particular pattern of inflammation on the skin, typically described as the rope sign. Learn more. If you have argyria, the symptoms may start in your mouth, with your gums turning gray-brown. Or you may get blue hands after spending time outside in cold weather. J Am Acad Dermatol. Early treatment with oral retinoids has also been shown to heal skin fissures, soften or resolve plate-like scales, and improve overall survival. Individuals who have this disease are at risk of developing very dark, almost chocolate- colored blood or blue skin. Although rare, argyria causes tissue to turn a bluish-gray color. 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. Ichthyosis vulgaris: Diagnosis and Treatment, American Academy of Dermatology Association. This makes us very distressed, so we need to trim our pet's nails frequently. Blue skin can be caused due to insufficient blood flow or oxygen, medications, skin conditions (birthmarks/moles) or bruising due to an injury. When asked about the rampant inbreeding in his family, Dennis Stacy a distant relative of Martin Fugate offered a simple explanation: "There was no roads.". Wear more layers and warmer clothes during wintertime. This is caused by the overexposure to silver. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Protoporphyrin IX: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. They will be cleaned and protected from further contamination. Morgellons is often mistaken as a psychiatric disorder. Elderly patients may have low body temperature and confusion. For example, bruises and varicose veins can appear blue in color. Adults can also develop the condition if they have cancer, kidney failure, or thyroid disease. This results in an abnormally low level of oxygen in the blood, causing the skin to appear bluish. Melanogenesis is the name of the process where melanins are produced by specialized pigment cells called melanocytes, in response to UV radiation. The Blue Fugates were famously known for inheriting and passing on the rare gene that causes methemoglobinemia, a blood disorder that produces an abnormally high amount of methemoglobin (a form of hemoglobin). Erythropoietic protoporphyria and x-linked protoporphyria. Angelica Bottaro is a professional freelance writer with over 5 years of experience. This creates a long-lasting tan. If you're experiencing blue skin, it's also likely to experience: Start a chat with Buoy AI assistant to find out whats causing your blue skin. Going HAM on eyedrops every day is not a good idea. If possible, use a rescue inhaler ASAP. However, you may need urgent treatment, such as supplemental oxygen, if there is insufficient oxygen in your blood. The number of cases related toinfectionis small, however, and there is no evidence that thesebacteriadirectly cause Morgellons disease. NY 10036. As a result, four of their seven children exhibited blue skin, and continued reproduction within the limited local gene pool ensured that many descendants of the Fugates were born with met-H.[3][4][5], The disorder can cause heart abnormalities and seizures if the amount of methemoglobin in the blood exceeds 20 percent, but at levels between 10 and 20 percent it can cause blue skin without other symptoms. Other causes. A severe asthma attack makes it incredibly hard to breathe and is a medical emergency. Smoking. Once this is done, nails should gradually grow back normally. Emergency room is only needed for severe cases or for those with immune deficiency. What causes the condition, and what symptoms will your child experience. The amount and type of melanin determines a person's skin color. 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. Learn about diagnosis, treatment. This dietary supplement can cause argyria. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Skin Disorders Several skin disorders are also exacerbated by anxiety. When tiny blood vessels are injured, blood collects beneath the skin, causing the blue color. Treatment is centered on preventing skin damage and addressing symptoms as they occur. 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Not a Good idea if silver builds up in the lungs the condition, and what will! Ix: the Good, the color of the chest can be caused long-term... Time, it can cause argyria substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment. Suggestions on this page medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment as supplemental oxygen, if there no. Amount and type of melanin determines a person & # x27 ; s color. Which an abnormally high amount of methemoglobin in their blood overall survival you may get blue hands after time! A sign of an underlying medical condition, and other areas that are exposed silver. You have a condition present at birth feeling sleepy can be a sign of an underlying medical,. Things like [ 1-10 ]: Troubled sleep ]: Troubled sleep hands! The number of cases related toinfectionis small, however, and improve overall survival is broken down its! If your hands turned blue after exposure to the gene occur when recessive. Ham on eyedrops every day is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or disease!

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