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Cyanosis of the nail bed

Overview Treatment

Skin discoloration - bluish

Alternative Names: Lips - bluish; Fingernails - bluish; Cyanosis; Bluish lips and fingernails; Bluish skin Home Care: For cyanosis caused by exposure to cold, dress warmly when going outside or stay in a well-heated room. Call your health care provider if: Text Continues Below Call your health care provider if you have any unexplained changes in the color of your skin or mucous membranes. What to expect at your health care provider's office: Your health care provider will perform a physical examination, which includes listening to your breathing and heart sounds. In emergency situations (such as shock), the patient will be stabilized first. Medical history questions may include: When did it develop? Did it develop suddenly? Has it been developing slowly? Are the lips blue? Are the nailbeds blue? Is the body blue all over? Have you had an exposure to cold? Have you suddenly gone to a high altitude? Have you inhaled anything? What other symptoms are also present? Is there difficulty breathing? Is there ankle, feet, and leg swelling? Is there a cough? Is there chest pain? Diagnostic tests that may be performed include: Arterial blood gas analysis Complete blood count (CBC) Chest x-ray ECG Measurement of blood oxygen by pulse oximetry For shortness of breath and cyanosis, supplemental oxygen may be administered.

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