Why are my armpits blue?

People whose blood is low in oxygen tend to have a bluish color to their skin. This condition is called cyanosis. Depending on the cause, cyanosis may develop suddenly, along with shortness of breath and other symptoms. Cyanosis that is caused by long-term heart or lung problems may develop slowly.
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Why do my underarms look blue?

Cyanosis occurs when there's too little oxygen in the blood. Oxygen-rich blood is deep red and causes your skin's normal color. Under-oxygenated blood is bluer and causes your skin to look bluish purple. Cyanosis can develop quickly due to an acute health problem or external factor.
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Why are my arms bluish?

Peripheral cyanosis is a condition in which the extremities develop a distinctive bluish discoloration because they are not receiving enough oxygen-rich blood. This condition most often shows up in the hands, feet, fingers, and/or toes. Reduced blood circulation to the affected extremities is almost always to blame.
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What disease turns your skin blue?

Argyria is a rare skin condition that can happen if silver builds up in your body over a long time. It can turn your skin, eyes, internal organs, nails, and gums a blue-gray color, especially in areas of your body exposed to sunlight. That change in your skin color is permanent.
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Is cyanosis an emergency?

Peripheral cyanosis is the bluish discoloration of the distal extremities (Hands, fingertips, toes), and can sometimes involve circumoral and periorbital areas. Mucous membranes are generally not involved. Peripheral cyanosis is rarely a life-threatening medical emergency.
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What causes lack of oxygen in the bloodstream?

Some of the most common causes of hypoxemia include: Heart conditions, including heart defects. Lung conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis. Locations of high altitudes, where oxygen in the air is lower.
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What does cyanosis look like?

Cyanosis is characterized by bluish discoloration of skin and mucous membranes. Cyanosis is usually a sign of an underlying condition rather than being a disease in itself. The most common symptoms of the condition are bluish discoloration of the lips, fingers, and toes.
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Can anemia cause blue skin?

Cause of cyanosis

Cyanosis is caused by an increase in the deoxygenated haemoglobin level to above 5 g/dL. In fact patients who have anemia do not develop cyanosis until the oxygen saturation (also called SaO2) falls below normal haemoglobin levels.
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What causes blue GREY skin?

Pallor, or pale skin, and grayish or blue skin are a result of a lack of oxygenated blood. Your blood carries oxygen around your body, and when this is disrupted, you see a discoloration. The disruption may be to the flow of blood itself, which produces paleness or a gray tint to skin tone.
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Can anemia cause Cyanosis?

Anemia or polycythemia also plays a role in cyanosis. The level of hypoxia required to produce clinically evidenced cyanosis varies for a given level of hemoglobin[8]. Cyanosis is more difficult to discern when the level of hemoglobin is low.
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How do you know if you have lack of oxygen?

Although they can vary from person to person, the most common hypoxia symptoms are:
  1. Changes in the color of your skin, ranging from blue to cherry red.
  2. Confusion.
  3. Cough.
  4. Fast heart rate.
  5. Rapid breathing.
  6. Shortness of breath.
  7. Slow heart rate.
  8. Sweating.
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How do you fix cyanosis?

Treatment of cyanosis
  1. Warming of the affected areas. ...
  2. Surgery as a treatment for cyanosis. ...
  3. Oxygenation as a treatment for cyanosis. ...
  4. Intravenous fluids. ...
  5. Drugs as a treatment for cyanosis. ...
  6. Immunizations for children with cyanosis. ...
  7. Injections for babies with cyanosis. ...
  8. Glucose administration.
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What can cause cyanosis?

Cyanosis is usually caused by problems of the heart, lungs, or blood.
...
What conditions cause cyanosis?
  • truncus arteriosus.
  • total anomalous pulmonary venous return.
  • transposition of the great arteries.
  • tricuspid atresia.
  • pulmonary atresia.
  • atrioventricular canal defect.
  • pulmonary hypertension.
  • hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
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Why are my armpits blue and green?

Chromhidrosis is a rare chronic condition that causes sweat to turn black, blue, green, yellow, or brown. The coloration may be barely noticeable and restricted to a few locations or more widespread. Chromhidrosis is harmless, but it can cause embarrassment or distress that may lead to depression or anxiety.
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What causes discoloration in armpits?

Acanthosis nigricans is a skin condition that causes a dark discoloration in body folds and creases. It typically affects the armpits, groin and neck. Acanthosis nigricans is a condition that causes areas of dark, thick velvety skin in body folds and creases. It typically affects the armpits, groin and neck.
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Is it normal to have dark armpits?

Dark underarms usually aren't a sign of anything serious, but some people may find them embarrassing — especially during tank top and swimsuit season. Darkening is often due to a skin condition called acanthosis nigricans (AN).
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Why are my arms different colors?

People have different levels of melanin in their skin, which accounts for their skin's overall color. However, the skin may create too much melanin in a specific area, causing the skin to darken.
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Can anemia cause grey skin?

Anemia refers to a group of conditions that prevent the blood from having enough healthy red cells. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which carries oxygen. Without enough hemoglobin and oxygen, the skin can turn pale.
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Why is my skin purple and blotchy?

Livedo reticularis is thought to be due to spasms of the blood vessels or a problem of the blood flow near the skin surface. It makes the skin look mottled in sort of a net pattern with clear borders. The condition most often shows up on the legs. Sometimes livedo reticularis is simply the result of being chilled.
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What are the 3 stages of iron deficiency?

3 Stages of Iron Deficiency
  • Stage 1: Diminished total-body iron content. This stage is identified by a reduction in serum ferritin. ...
  • Stage 2: Reduced red blood cell formation. This stage occurs when the iron supply is insufficient to support the formation of red blood cells. ...
  • Stage 3: Iron deficiency anemia.
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What drugs cause cyanosis?

Past history: cyanosis can result from any lung disease of sufficient severity. Drug history: certain drugs may cause methaemoglobinaemia (eg, nitrates, dapsone) or sulfhaemoglobinaemia (eg, metoclopramide).
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Is cyanosis a symptom of COPD?

Some people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) have a symptom that is called “cyanosis.” If a person has cyanosis, it means that there is not enough oxygen in his or her blood for the body to function well.
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Where can cyanosis occur?

Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, tongue, lips, or nail beds and is due to an increased concentration of reduced hemoglobin (Hb) in the circulation. Clinically evident cyanosis typically occurs at an oxygen saturation of 85% or less. Mild cyanosis may be difficult to detect.
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How long does cyanosis last?

Q. How long does Cyanosis last? It is a common finding and may persist for 24 to 48 hours. Central cyanosis caused by reduced arterial oxygen saturation lasts for nearly 5 to 10 minutes in a newborn infant as the oxygen saturation rises to 85 to 95 percent by 10 minutes of age.
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How can I increase oxygen in my body?

How to Increase Your Blood Oxygen Level
  1. Stand or sit up straight. Rather than lying down, which may put pressure on your lungs and make it harder to breathe.
  2. Cough. If you have a cold or the flu, difficulty breathing can decrease oxygen saturation in your blood. ...
  3. Go outside. ...
  4. Drink lots of water. ...
  5. Take slow, deep breaths.
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