Cyanosis is a condition that causes the skin and mucous membranes (inside of mouth, edges of eyes, etc.) to turn bluish in color due to too little oxygen in the bloodstream. Let's take a look at why this happens. The blood is responsible for transporting oxygen around the body so that tissues and cells can function properly. It also transports waste materials away from these same tissues and cells so that they can be removed from the body. Our blood has four components to it (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma), and the red blood cells are responsible for carrying the oxygen molecules. Specifically, the oxygen binds to the hemoglobin of the red blood cell, which is naturally red in color. Well-oxygenated blood gives the body its normal reddish or pinkish coloration. If the blood is carrying too little oxygen, it is no longer bright red in color; instead, it becomes a reddish-purple, and this gives the skin an outwardly blue coloring.

Symptoms of cyanosis
Cyanosis is seen in the skin, nail beds, or mucous membranes. If cyanosis is seen only in the limbs it is termed acrocyanosis or peripheral cyanosis. This is common in young infants and is a part of normal physiology. However, central cyanosis affects the whole body. This is seen in the mucous membranes and tongue. This usually means a potentially serious and life-threatening disease is lying underneath and requires immediate evaluation. Major systems that may be affected include the respiratory system, blood, heart or cardiovascular system and the central nervous system.

Treatment :
Treatment depends on the condition of the patient and the actual cause that is responsible for cyanosis. In case of infants, they need to be hospitalized to pump out extra fluids from the heart and to keep the blood vessels open. Children with cyanosis and heart problem should be given antibiotics before and after dental procedures.

If the condition of the patient is critical, then he may undergo surgery on his heart for fixing the defect. Further the child will have to be on diuretics to flush out extra fluids from the heart. Sometimes, the patient has to live with the pacemaker permanently after surgery. It is essential to monitor the growth of the child after surgery taking care and precautions for not getting bacterial infection.