Paleness

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Skin layers

Skin - pale or gray; Pallor

Call your doctor or emergency number if a person suddenly develops generalized paleness. Emergency action may be needed to maintain proper blood circulation.

Also call your doctor if paleness is accompanied by shortness of breath, blood in the stool, or other unexplained symptoms.

The doctor will examine you and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms, including:

• Did the paleness develop suddenly?
• Did it happen after reminders of a traumatic event?
• Are you pale all over or only in one part of the body? If so, where?
• What other symptoms do you have? For example, do you have pain, shortness of breath, blood in the stool, or are you vomiting blood?
• Do you have a pale arm, hand, leg or foot, and cannot feel a pulse in the area?

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Tests that may be done include:

• Extremity arteriography
• CBC
• Blood differential

Review Date: 04/13/2009
Reviewed By: Jonathan Kantor, M.D., North Florida Dermatology Associates, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).