Skin, blue
Introduction
If a person's skin or lipsturn blue, it's usuallycaused bylow blood oxygen levels orpoor circulation. It can be a sign of a serious problem, so it's important to seek medical advice.
When bloodbecomes depleted of oxygen, it changes frombright redto darker in colour, and it's this that makes the skin and lips look blue.
In darker-skinned people, the blue tinge may be easier to spot in the lips, gums and around the eyes.
The medical name for this blue tinge is cyanosis.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 28 Nov 2016
Introduction
If a person's skin or lips turn blue, it's usually caused by low blood oxygen levels or poor circulation. It can be a sign of a serious problem, so it's important to seek medical advice.
What to do
Call 999 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department (A&E) immediately if you notice an adult or child suddenly turning blue, particularly if they have other symptoms, such as Shortness o
Common causes of cyanosis
Some of the maincauses of cyanosis are described below, but you shouldn't use this to diagnose yourself always leave that to a doctor. Cyanosis that just affects the hands, feet or limbs If just the
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