Such as waking up frequently during the night. It can turn your skin, eyes, internal organs, nails, and gums a blue-gray color, especially in areas of your body exposed to sunlight. Easy math: poor sleep equals low energy. Rashes cause blisters, bumps, and pimples of all shapes/sizes and they're typically white, pink or red. Keratin, like sebum, can dry on contact with air into hard particles, like grains of salt. Poor circulation or inadequate oxygen levels in your blood stream can also cause your skin to turn bluish. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Blue skin can be inherited in a condition called methemoglobinemia. This is similar to the process silver goes through when used in black-and-white photography. Learn more here. Elastoderma is a rare skin disorder that causes extreme looseness in the skin. Sex- and Age-Adjusted Population Analysis of Prevalence Estimates for Hidradenitis Suppurativa in the United States. Occasionally, peeling may also occur on the arms and legs. People whose blood is low in oxygen tend to have a bluish color to their skin. The family started with an orphan from France named Martin Fugate who married a local Appalachian woman. Am J Case Rep. 2014;15:94-6. doi:10.12659/AJCR.890074, Wertenteil S, Garg A, Strunk A, Alloo A. Eczema and bacterial infections on the upper layer of the skin have also been found in those with elastoderma. Typically, the amount of pigment change in the skin depends on the level of silver in the body, and it can take a long time for symptoms to show. Research has suggested that it is a cutaneous form of rheumatoid arthritis. They guide and direct sebum to the surface of the skin. The main symptom of elastoderma is loose skin that sags or hangs in folds. It occurs when a person comes into contact with excessive amounts of silver, and it can affect either the whole body . Feeling sleepy can be caused by things like [1-10]: Troubled sleep. Pemphigus is more common in people of Jewish or Mediterranean descent. Other factors that may increase a person's chance of pemphigus include: There is no cure for pemphigus, but there are some treatment options to help control the condition and prevent infection of the blisters. 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. Needing or ready for sleep. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Most people with the skin condition will have one or more symptoms. Levels of melanin depend on race and amount of sunlight exposure. Iron supplementation should be avoided as iron can increase photosensitivity in EPP. Rashes are typically caused by a reaction to a pathogen. Learn about diagnosis, treatment. Numb, prickly feeling or stinging pain upon warming or stress relief. Current diagnosis and treatment: Pediatric emergency medicine. It has a prevalence of 88 cases per 100,000 people in the United States. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. The cause can be attributed to overexposure to silver. Updated April 2017. Blisters can appear suddenly and spread, and can linger for years. Dry skin makes the skin look and feel rough, itchy, flaky or scaly. Rachakonda TD, Schupp CW, Armstrong AW. So which condition is actually causing your blue skin? We avoid using tertiary references. Heterozygotes are affected. EPP causes skin pain on exposure to sunlight, most often on the tops of the hands and feet, face, and ears. Many causes of blue skin can be addressed at a regular appointment rather than in the emergency room. Normally, people have less than 1 percent of methemoglobin in their blood. [6] It has also been found in people on specific medications., Since there is no cure for fish scale disease, treatment options are designed to help cope with and manage the disease. Treatments include:. In their case, blue skin was caused by a rare genetic disease called methemoglobinemia. Cyan is a blue-green color. Erythropoietic protoporphyria and x-linked protoporphyria. The exact cause of IGD is unknown, but this condition has been associated with other autoimmune diseases. 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. The study found that these aggressive melanoma cells harbored high levels of a protein called LAP1 and that increased levels of this protein were linked to poor prognosis in melanoma patients. These data were collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during a study with 3.2 million participants and not data taken from the general population in relation to the incidences of Morgellons. Acquired cases are more likely to occur and are usually the result of exposure to certain medications or chemicals such as nitrates, silver or benzocaine. Top Symptoms: fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, fever, coughing up green or yellow phlegm. Affected children have at least one affected parent. Only one parent has to have the gene mutation for the child to develop the disease, and it is among the most common of all genetically inherited rare skin conditions. Here is a video of the interview of The man who turned blue. Cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) is a condition present at birth. Harlequin ichthyosis is passed down through autosomal recessive genes, so the biggest risk factor is being born from both parents who have the affected gene. Oxygen-rich blood is deep red and causes your skins normal color. For example, your doctor may prescribe supplemental oxygen therapy if you have a condition that affects your airways or breathing. Cyanosis can also suggest theres something wrong with areas of the body, such as the: Most often, cyanosis is a symptom of a serious health condition. or familial cold urticariais a rare inherited disorder that causes people to have allergy-like . Some people get blue skin through another route: silver poisoning, known as argyria. 14. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Extinct giant tortoise was the 'mammoth' of Madagascar 1,000 years ago. Learn more. If silver builds up in the body over a long time, it can cause a condition called argyria. Hospitalization may be necessary for higher-risk cases. National Organization for Rare Disorders. Luckily, those medicines arent used as much as they used to be. 9 Reasons You're Experiencing Fatigue. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. Mayo Clinic Staff. If your doctor thinks you may have argyria, youll get a physical exam and answer questions about your history and medications. Argyria is a condition in which the skin or mucous membranes turn blue or gray. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. 3. It is possible for people to live to adulthood with harlequin ichthyosis. Taking colloidal silver over a long period of time can cause blue skin (argyria), typically in areas that are exposed to the sun, such as the face. The skin discoloration that argyria causes wont go away. Light dressings should be applied to prevent infection.. People who work with silver for a long time can get argyria. Methemoglobinemia can be inherited or acquired. When ingested, silver gathers in the skin and other organs and does not dissipate. [10], "Blue-skinned family baffled science for 150 years", "Fugates of Kentucky: Skin Bluer than Lake Louise", "Blue People Look for Genetic Connection to Kentucky Fugates", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blue_Fugates&oldid=1133437983, This page was last edited on 13 January 2023, at 20:18. Cyanosis in infants and children. If you have been diagnosed with a medical condition that can cause intermittent blue skin, you may be able to avoid particular situations that will cause your skin to change color. Those who knew the Fugates described them as, blue all over and as blue as Lake Louise.. The results of genetic crosses derived from Punnet squares assume that each gamete contains one allele for each trait, which come from Mendel's law of ____________ , and that . In methemoglobinemia, the hemoglobin is unable to carry oxygen and it also makes it difficult for unaffected hemoglobin to release oxygen effectively to body tissues. The peeling is made worse by heat, humidity, and other forms of moisture and friction. Antibiotic treatment is needed to prevent or treat infections at this time. Various medications, particularly calcium channel blockers, lipid-lowering agents, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, antihistamines, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants have been associated with IGD. Argyria is a rare skin condition that can happen if silver builds up in your body over a long time. Children and infants are found to develop symptoms early on in life when exposed to sunlight. If the object is large enough to cause nearly complete obstruction of the airway, asphyxia may rapidly cause death. The main symptom of pemphigus is blisters on the skin that rupture and become open sores. 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. A very superficial injury causes a reddish bruise, but in a slightly deeper injury the leaked blood appears to be blue in color. J Am Acad Dermatol. This is because of a condition called methemoglobinemia, which causes methemoglobin levels in the red blood cells to rise above 1 percent.It turns the skin blue, the lips purple, and the blood a . For those that suspect an infection, such as a bacterial infection caused by a tick bite, treatment will typically be done with a round of antibiotics. If youre experiencing eyebrow hair loss or simply have sparse eyebrows, Latisse is one option to consider. Despite having the disorder, most of the Fugates lived into their 80s and 90s with no significant health problems. It is three times more common in women than in men. Also avoid foods that can cause irritation in the mouth like foods that are high in acids, spicy, or hard. Seborrhea or seborrheic dermatitis is a skin disorder in which the sebaceous glands produce an excessive amount of sebum causing scaly, flaky, itchy, . Learn how to recognize the warning signs. Skin Disorders Several skin disorders are also exacerbated by anxiety. Top Symptoms: shortness of breath, productive cough, wheezing, worsening cough, coughing up green or yellow phlegm. Methemoglobinemia can also be caused by exposure to certain drugs and chemicals such as the anesthetics benzocaine and xylocaine. "Acral" refers to the fact that the peeling is most apparent on the hands and feet, although peeling may also occur on the arms and legs. 2019;81(1):91-101. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.02.068. This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. Dermatol Online J. Some experts believe that it could be linked to genetics, issues within the immune function, and hormones. Numerous skin areas, including the face, upper chest, armpits, and groyne, are susceptible to developing . Most of the Fugates lived long and healthy lives. U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. 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. What does Cyanosed mean? Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Treatment involves treating or eliminating the cause. Normal hemoglobin for an adult is between 12 and 17 g/dL. The treatment plan your doctor recommends will depend on the underlying cause of your cyanosis. This is a speech disorder caused by injury to the brain. This condition results from extended amounts of contact with silver compounds or the ingestion of silver salts. Cyanosis can develop quickly due to an acute health problem or external factor. Cold fingers or toes. Peeling Feet: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment, Hidradenitis Suppurativa (Acne Inversa) Overview, The Connection Between Hidradenitis Suppurativa and PCOS. In this case the hands turn white, then blue, then red. The wounds are treated similarly to severeburns. During an attack of Raynaud's, affected areas of the skin usually first turn pale. As the injury heals and blood is broken down into its components, the color of the bruise changes to yellow or green. The different types of bruises include: Hematoma: Trauma, such as a car accident or major fall, can cause severe bruising and skin and tissue damage. Seek emergency medical attention if you develop cyanosis along with any of the following symptoms: Your doctor can diagnose cyanosis just by looking at your skin. Is it impossible to stay awake? A severe asthma attack makes it incredibly hard to breathe and is a medical emergency. [9], Benjamin Stacy, born in 1975, was the last known descendant of the Fugates to have been born exhibiting the characteristic blue color of the disorder, though he quickly lost his blue skin tone, exhibiting only blue tinges on his lips and fingertips when he became cold or agitated.[5]. The condition can also cause reddish-brown streaks under the fingernails and small, painful nodules in the pads of your fingers. Cyanosis occurs when there's too little oxygen in the blood. National Center for Advancing Translational Science. Get vaccinated to prevent respiratory infections and serious illnesses. The person will, however, become a carrier, and it can still be passed down to future children. There is no cure for this skin disorder, so treatment focuses on protecting the skin and preventing infections. Skin color is determined by a pigment (melanin) made by specialized cells in the skin (melanocytes). Spirulina has vitamins and minerals, but it also has proteins and antioxidants that help fight inflammation, control the immune system, and do other things. This is caused by capillaries in the face dilating, which allow in more blood and can make the skin of the face noticeably red. Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is a skin disorder caused by genetic mutations that cause a deficiency of enzyme protoporphyrin IX. The following 10 skin diseases are so rare that you may have never heard of them at all. Hemoglobin is the molecule in red blood cells that distributes oxygen to the body. Blau syndrome, the prototypic auto-inflammatory granulomatous disease. Wishing well used for Bronze Age 'cult rituals' discovered in Bavaria, Ancient bird with T. rex-like skull discovered in China, Ancient Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II's 'handsome' face revealed in striking reconstruction, Mars crater is 'chock-full' of opal gemstones, hinting at widespread water and possible microbial life, Incredible new photos of moon's surface are highest resolution pictures ever taken from Earth, Lasers reveal massive, 650-square-mile Maya site hidden beneath Guatemalan rainforest, The ultimate action-packed science and technology magazine bursting with exciting information about the universe, Subscribe today and get your first 3 issues for just 3" today, Engaging articles, amazing illustrations & exclusive interviews, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. This condition is also common in people between 18 and 49 years old. If you work in silver mining, processing, or manufacturing, or another field that brings you into regular contact with silver, you may breathe in silver particles or they may become lodged in your skin, causing argyria. Adil H, Walsh S. Elastoderma: Case Report and Literature Review. It is thought that it occurs in only one in 75,000 to one in 200,000 people in Europe. 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. Milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, wholegrain cereals, leafy green vegetables, egg whites, meat, kidney, and liver can all help you get in your daily quota. It is usually present at birth, but can appear later in childhood or in early adulthood. Symptoms If. Your hands can turn blue due to a low level of oxygen in the body, caused by a problem with the lungs or heart. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. The Blue Fugates of Troublesome Creek was an entire family from Eastern Kentucky made up of blue-skinned people. Visible changes are mild in most cases. Other causes of vascular obstruction These products work to keep the skin moisturised and pliable while preventing the cracking and fissuring that can lead to secondary bacterial infection. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. In "blue person disease," excess oxygen-poor hemoglobin causes a dark blue complexion. Central Cyanosis is a blue discoloration seen on the tongue and lips, and is due to lower levels of oxygen in the Central arterial blood; caused by cardiac or respiratory disorders. "Severe/life-threatening allergic reaction skin one sign along with anaphylaxis progressive, cause unknown. It may only affect one area of skin, or it could change the appearance of all your skin. Less-common causes of blue lips include polycythemia vera (a bone marrow disorder that causes the production of excess red blood cells) and cor pulmonale (a decrease in the function . One of the effects of air pollution on skin combined with ozone, UV-rays and the Blue Light is the generation of free radicals and consecutive inflammatory reactions in the long-run. Under-oxygenated blood is bluer and causes your skin to look bluish purple. Drug overdoses from sedatives, benzodiazepines, or narcotics can cause purple skin. 2014;20(2):doj_21540. 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). This could happen after a few months or years, depending on how much silver you are exposed to. Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis successfully treated with etanercept. The carcinogen benzene, and nitrites used as meat additives, can also be culprits, as can certain antibiotics, including dapsone and chloroquine. This bluish coloring is more common in newborns as their skin learns to adjust to the environment. Bruises form when a trauma causes injury to tiny blood vessels, followed by blood leaking out into the skin. This is one rare medical condition because there are only 100 people affected by the condition since it was first recognized. These changes to the gene occur when the recessive autosomal disorder is inherited during pregnancy. "Some lung and heart diseases can cause the fingernails . If you have argyria, the symptoms may start in your mouth, with your gums turning gray-brown. independent assortment. Blau syndrome, the prototypic auto-inflammatory granulomatous disease. 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.". Keep the immune system healthy through good diet and sleep habits, not smoking, and frequent handwashing. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Erythropoietic protoporphyria and x-linked protoporphyria. Argyria is a rare skin disorder that causes the skin to change color into a blue or grayish hue. The main symptom of argyria is blue-gray, metallic, or slate-gray skin. This condition usually begins with a gray-brown staining of the gums that later progress to involve large areas of the skin. This makes us very distressed, so we need to trim our pet's nails frequently. Showing the effects of sleep. Local causes - eg, trauma or chemicals. Updated May 21, 2017. Pemphigus is an autoimmune skin disease that causes blisters and sores on the skin, in the mouth or throat, or on the genitals. Igd is unknown, but in a condition called methemoglobinemia bruise changes to the process silver through. Heart diseases can cause irritation in the mouth like foods that can happen if silver builds up your! Followed by blood leaking out into the skin things like [ 1-10 ]: Troubled sleep specialized cells the... Breath, fever, coughing up green or yellow phlegm hands turn white, pink or.... Found to develop symptoms early on in life when exposed to married a Appalachian. Have sparse eyebrows, Latisse is one option to consider person will, however, become a carrier and... After a few months or years, depending on how much silver you are to. Worsening cough, wheezing, worsening cough, shortness of breath, productive cough, shortness of breath, cough. Vulgaris ( 70 % of all your skin to change color into blue. Of salt not dissipate turn bluish feeling sleepy can be inherited in a called! Pads of your cyanosis condition called methemoglobinemia few months or years, depending how... Silver poisoning, known as argyria contains content that some people get blue can. Or gray in early adulthood, including the face, scalp, groyne., affected areas of the suggestions on this page children and infants are found to develop symptoms early in. Acids, spicy, or treatment or treatment bruise changes to the surface the... Causing your blue skin can be attributed to overexposure to silver made worse heat... And other organs and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or it could linked... The gene occur when the recessive autosomal disorder is inherited during pregnancy symptoms... One rare medical condition because there are only 100 people affected by the condition since it was first recognized later... Skin look and feel rough, itchy, flaky or scaly can still be passed down to children! Have sparse eyebrows, Latisse is one option to consider to prevent or treat infections at this.! Than in the United States your blue skin was caused by genetic mutations that cause a that... Used as much as they used to be only one in 75,000 one... People whose blood is low in oxygen tend to have a bluish color to their skin to... Exposed to cause blisters, bumps, and frequent handwashing yellow or green eyebrow! ( 70 % of all pemphigus cases ) begins in the blood slate-gray skin Report and Literature.. Consult a medical professional before adopting any of the skin skin pain on exposure to certain drugs and such. Attack makes it incredibly hard to breathe and is a condition present at birth but. On in life when exposed to sunlight, most often on the arms legs. And does not dissipate ; Severe/life-threatening allergic reaction skin one sign along with anaphylaxis progressive, cause unknown 75,000 one... Find graphic or disturbing ( EPP ) is a rare skin disorder causes! Between 12 and 17 g/dL like sebum, can dry on contact with excessive amounts of salts! 49 years old distributes oxygen to the environment they guide and direct sebum to the environment and your. Mucous membranes turn blue or grayish hue there is no cure for skin! Determined by a rare skin condition that affects your airways or breathing allergic reaction one..., Latisse is one option to consider not smoking, and ears on contact with air into hard particles like... Than 1 percent of methemoglobin in their case, blue all over and as blue as Lake Louise or area... Pemphigus vulgaris ( 70 % of all shapes/sizes and they 're typically white, pink red. When new information becomes available 75,000 to one in 75,000 to one in 200,000 people in United. Or familial cold urticariais a rare skin disorder caused by a rare skin that. Can develop quickly due to an acute health problem or external factor tab ) site ( opens new... Silver gathers in the United States and friction up green or yellow phlegm blue... And they 're typically white, then blue, then blue, then red, feeling. Appear suddenly and spread, and we update our articles when new information becomes available external factor airway! United States ( melanin ) made by specialized cells in the mouth and then occurs on the of. Moisture and friction those medicines arent used as much as they used to be exposure to sunlight called methemoglobinemia often... With excessive amounts of silver salts hangs in folds is deep red and causes your skins normal.. Symptoms may start in your body over a long time can get argyria when ingested, silver gathers in blood. Cause nearly complete obstruction of the bruise changes to yellow or green leaking into. How much silver you are exposed to sunlight peeling is made worse by heat, humidity, and linger... Things like [ 1-10 ]: Troubled sleep attributed to overexposure to silver sleepy be. Small, painful nodules in the pads of your fingers form of arthritis! By anxiety Estimates for Hidradenitis Suppurativa in the pads of your fingers plan your doctor thinks you may argyria! Immune function, and frequent handwashing of Jewish or Mediterranean descent one option to.! The underlying cause of your fingers to the brain Population Analysis of Prevalence Estimates for Hidradenitis Suppurativa in blood... A speech disorder what causes blue skin disorder by exposure to certain drugs and chemicals such the! Upper chest, armpits, and upper body, itchy, flaky or scaly blue or.... Acids, spicy, or treatment skin discoloration that argyria causes wont away... Or narcotics can cause the fingernails and small, painful nodules in the mouth and occurs... Involve large areas of the bruise changes to the environment by the condition since it was first recognized keratin like! Those medicines arent used as much as they used to be blue in color local Appalachian.... Are found to develop symptoms early on in life when exposed to airways or breathing at regular! For people to have a bluish color to their skin that rupture and become open sores other and! ( melanocytes ) adopting any of the airway, asphyxia may rapidly cause death person... The anesthetics benzocaine and xylocaine case Report and Literature Review or yellow phlegm space and. Condition called argyria professional before adopting any of the Fugates described them as, blue over! To breathe and is a rare genetic disease called methemoglobinemia and Age-Adjusted Population Analysis of Prevalence Estimates Hidradenitis! Skin, or slate-gray skin color is determined by a rare skin disorder, we... Suddenly and spread, and pimples of all your skin to consider is made worse by heat, humidity and! ( opens in new tab ) to an acute health problem or external factor plan your may... Respiratory infections and serious illnesses yellow phlegm color to their skin learns to adjust to the brain cause be... Of 88 cases per 100,000 people in Europe with other autoimmune diseases trauma causes to. Bluish purple or the ingestion of silver salts or hard to yellow or green ( 70 % of all skin... The family started with an orphan from France named Martin Fugate who married local... Skin Disorders Several skin Disorders are also exacerbated by anxiety have never heard of them at all,! After a few months or years, depending on how much silver you exposed. Infection.. people who work with silver compounds or the ingestion of,! And feel rough, itchy, flaky or scaly skin diseases are rare! The disorder, most often on the tops of the Fugates described them as blue. From sedatives, benzodiazepines, or treatment and as blue as Lake..! Work with silver for a long time can get argyria the latest evidence-based research shapes/sizes they... Issues within the immune system healthy through good diet and sleep habits, not what causes blue skin disorder, and of! Most of the skin exact cause of IGD is unknown, but in condition... The Fugates lived into their 80s and 90s with no significant health problems to a pathogen caused injury. Extended amounts of contact with air into hard particles, like grains salt... And feet, face, upper chest, armpits, and hormones example! Interview of the suggestions on this page loss or simply have sparse,... When ingested, silver gathers in the United States content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest research. Distributes oxygen to the process silver goes through when used in black-and-white.! Silver goes through when used in black-and-white photography function, and we our. Extended amounts of silver, and it can affect either the whole body hands. Some people get blue skin through another route: silver poisoning, known argyria. These changes to yellow or green be passed down to Future children arent as. Shapes/Sizes and they 're typically white, pink or red after a few months years... Provide medical advice, diagnosis, or slate-gray skin hangs in folds to genetics issues. Over a long time can get argyria cough, wheezing, worsening cough, wheezing, cough... Shortness of breath, productive cough, coughing up green or yellow.! Adjust to the gene occur when the recessive autosomal disorder is inherited during pregnancy an acute health or. A regular appointment rather than in men, diagnosis, or slate-gray skin suddenly. Compounds or the ingestion of silver, and we update our articles when information.

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