Cyanosis can be harmless – as in acrocyanosis of babies who are newborn – but it is normally a bad sign. Cyanosis can be caused by problems with the lungs so that not enough oxygen is reaching into the blood stream or by other problems with circulation. Circulation problems involve abnormal mixing of unoxygenated blood with blood which is carrying oxygen. Cyanosis is normally at first noted around the mouth and lips as well as perhaps the nail beds.
Cardiovascular causes of cyanosis
1. Blood clot that blocks blood supply
2. Congenital heart defects
3. Methemoglobinemia
4. Other blood disorders that produce abnormal hemoglobin
5. Raynaud’s phenomenon
Respiratory causes of cyanosis
1.
Asthma2. Bronchiolitis and bronchitis
3. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
4. Croup (viral illness)
5. Hyaline membrane disease
6. Pulmonary edema
7. Pulmonary embolism
8. Pulmonary hypertension
9. Severe pneumonia
