Nail Bed Cyanosis
August 13th, 2017
Overview
Look For
- Blue discolouration of the nail beds.
Significance
- Nail bed cyanosis is a type of peripheral cyanosis, characterised by elevated levels of deoxygenated haemoglobin (hypoxaemia) in the peripheries. Always look for central cyanosis (under the tongue) when this is present.
Causes of Nail Bed Cyanosis
Central Cyanosis
- High altitude
- Obstructive lung disease, pulmonary oedema, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism
- Congenital heart disease
- Methaemoglobinaemia / sulfhaemoglobinaemia / carboxyhaemoglobinaemia
Peripheral Cyanosis
- As for central cyanosis
- Reduced cardiac output
- Vasoconstriction
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------