The most common cause is a bruise. "I have lupus and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Many conditions can cause your skin to have a bluish tint. Under-oxygenated blood is bluer and causes your skin to look bluish purple. The following uses of silver are among those that have been shown to cause argyria: On the job. Some people's internal organs in their abdomen -- such as the spleen, liver, and intestines -- take on a bluish color, but you wouldnt know this unless you had surgery. They eventually came to the attention of the hematologist Madison Cawein III, who with the assistance of the nurse Ruth Pendergrass made a detailed study of their condition and ancestry. COVID-19: Check your symptoms and find the right care. This condition results from extended amounts of contact with silver compounds or the ingestion of silver salts. To help lessen the skin pigmentation, using a 5% hydroquinone treatment could help reduce the amount of silver in the skin, making it look less blue or gray. People with EPP are also at a heightened risk of developing liver damage because of the high amounts of the protoporphyrin protein in their blood. Blau syndrome, the prototypic auto-inflammatory granulomatous disease. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. For a skin disease to be considered occupational in origin, there must be a causal relationship between the occupation or work and the skin disease. If you have argyria, the symptoms may start in your mouth, with your gums turning gray-brown. These may irritate active eczema, Apply lotions and creams to damp skin to trap in the moisture (within three minutes of showering/bathing), Lotionand creams can be kept underocclusionfor one or two hours with a cling-film wrap to enhance skin hydration, Gently rub a pumice stone on wet skin to help remove thickened crusty skin, Brush washedhairto removescalesfrom scalp, A lack of recoil of the skin, or the skin tissues inability to take on its original shape after being deformed, Increase sensitivity to sound, taste, smell, or touch (hyperesthesia), Red or skin-coloured patches,papules,andplaques, Lesions wax and wane, and may vary in size and shape over days to months, The lesions tend to be symmetrically distributed on the trunk, butproximallimbs may also be affected, A history of autoimmune diseases, such asmyasthenia gravis,systemic lupus erythematosus, or thymoma, Regular use of certain medications: Chelating agents, such as penicillamine, ACE inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, antibiotics, such as penicillin, anti-seizure medications, such as phenobarbital, and thiols, Pustules,fluctuantpseudocysts, and abscesses, Draining sinuses linking inflammatorylesions, Family history of hidradenitis suppurativa, Obesity andinsulinresistance (metabolicsyndrome), Inflammatory bowel disease, particularly Crohn's disease, Other skin disorders, includingpsoriasis,acne,hirsutism, Comorbidities like hypertension, diabetes mellitus,dyslipidaemia, thyroid disorders,arthropathies,polycystic ovary syndrome, adverse cardiovascular outcomes, Syndromes like PAPA syndrome, PASH syndrome, and PAPASH syndrome, Pain medications, both over the counter and prescription strength, Hair that can be plucked easier than what is typical. Affected children have unaffected parents. Learn how to recognize the warning signs. Although "hidradenitis" implies an inflammatory disorder of sweatglands, research has shown that hidradenitis suppurativa is anautoinflammatorysyndrome., Associations and risk factors include:, There are two main treatment options for Hidradenitis suppurativa: medication and surgery. Many health disorders that involve the heart, lungs, blood or circulation will also cause cyanosis. They may be smaller than 1 centimeter (cm) (vesicle) or larger than 1 cm (bulla) and can occur alone or in groups.. The "bluest" of the blue Fugates, Luna Stacy, had 13 children and lived to age 84. Am J Case Rep. 2014;15:94-6. doi:10.12659/AJCR.890074, Wertenteil S, Garg A, Strunk A, Alloo A. Argyria is a condition in which the skin or mucous membranes turn blue or gray. There are not many cases of affected infants surviving through childhood into adulthood, but advancements in medicine and specialized treatment make it a possibility. Some types of bacterial pneumonia can be prevented through vaccination. 2014;12:33. doi:10.1186/1546-0096-12-33, Veronez IS, Dantas FL, Valente NY, Kakizaki P, Yasuda TH, Cunha Tdo A. Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis: rare cutaneous manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis. 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. Some causes of blue skin are preventable. Dental fillings made of this metal causes argyria in some cases. All rights reserved. Early treatment with oral retinoids has also been shown to heal skin fissures, soften or resolve plate-like scales, and improve overall survival. The number of cases related toinfectionis small, however, and there is no evidence that thesebacteriadirectly cause Morgellons disease. 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. Hadjiliadis D. Blue Discoloration of the Skin. Clinical, epidemiologic, histopathologic and molecular features of an unexplained dermopathy. In 2021, the novel Blue-Skinned Gods by S. J. Sindu references a family from Kentucky with methemoglobinemia but doesn't use the surname Fugate. People who are potentially at risk of developing this condition are those: Cases of this disorder are extremely rare. Showing the effects of sleep. If the object is large enough to cause nearly complete obstruction of the airway, asphyxia may rapidly cause death. Methemoglobinemia is a blood disorder in which an abnormally high amount of methemoglobin a form of. The terms "skin condition" and "skin disorder" are used interchangeably to describe various skin problems, from small red bumps on the skin to widespread rashes. From there, the family members married each other, and the genes were passed down from one inbred generation to the next, making the blue family locally famous. When Adderall is misused or taken in greater quantity than the recommended dose, a whole new set of skin problems is possible, according to Gil Yosipovitch, M.D., director of the Miami Itch Center . Updated May 21, 2017. Martin Fugate and Elizabeth Smith,[2] who had married and settled near Hazard, Kentucky in around 1820, were both carriers of the recessive methemoglobinemia (met-H) gene. This peeling is most noticeable on the hands and feet because these areas are more frequently exposed to moisture and friction. All rights reserved. nidirect. 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. There have been rare cases of argyria caused by silver-coated acupuncture needles, silver earrings, and dental pieces. In James Camerons 2009 blockbuster "Avatar," the forest-loving Navi have stunning blue skin. Causes of blue skin Insufficient blood flow. Fish scale disease can be found on any part of the body, and symptoms are less severe in a warm, humid climate. Symptoms often appear after about two months of birth and usually before the age of 5. Elastoderma is a rare skin disorder that causes extreme looseness in the skin. Skin color is determined by a pigment (melanin) made by specialized cells in the skin (melanocytes). Free, private and secure to get you the best way to well. Prevalence and incidence of rare diseases: Bibliographic data. Using a 5% hydroquinone treatment on your skin may curb the amount of silver in your skin and make it look better. 2014;70(3):512-6. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2013.11.013, Lencastre A, Lobo M, Joo A. Argyria -- case report. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. He acquired the disorder by drinking a home-made brew that included colloidal silver and using a silver-based salve on his face. It typically occurs in one in every 250 people, and accounts for close to 95% of all ichthyosis cases.. He is a clinical professor at the University of Colorado in Denver, and co-founder and practicing dermatologist at the Boulder Valley Center for Dermatology in Colorado. 2017;153(8):760-764. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.0201, Alikhan A, Sayed C, Alavi A, Alhusayen R, Brassard A, Burkhart C, Crowell K, Eisen DB, Gottlieb AB, Hamzavi I, Hazen PG, Jaleel T, Kimball AB, Kirby J, Lowes MA, Micheletti R, Miller A, Naik HB, Orgill D, Poulin Y. If not enough blood is being delivered to the extremities, the resulting lack of oxygen can cause the skin to turn blue. Four of their seven children had blue skin. 4. Depending on your skin color, these color changes may be harder or easier to see. Cyanosis occurs when theres too little oxygen in the blood. Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is a skin disorder caused by genetic mutations that cause a deficiency of enzyme protoporphyrin IX. Itchy skin is the most common symptom of eczema. An aspirated solid or semisolid object may lodge in the larynx or trachea. Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis: rare cutaneous manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis. There is also an increased risk of asthma,rhinitis,and foodallergy. There is no known cure for elastoderma. So which condition is actually causing your blue skin? An Bras Dermatol. The content available on buoy.com is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 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. Top Symptoms: cough, fever, shortness of breath, cough with dry or watery sputum, wheezing, Symptoms that always occur with foreign body aspiration: swallowing of something potentially harmful. 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 cause of elastoderma is largely unknown. Prevalence estimates for pemphigoid in the United States: A sex-adjusted and age-adjusted population analysis. Needing or ready for sleep. Morgellons disease: Analysis of a population with clinically confirmed microscopic subcutaneous fibers of unknown etiology. 3. Elderly patients may have low body temperature and confusion. Be sure to finish all the medication, even if you start to feel better. Oxygen-rich blood is deep red and causes your skin's normal color. Follow your doctors recommended treatment plan for any health conditions that you have, such as diabetes, heart disease, Reynauds syndrome. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In serious cases, movement of the chest can be limited, which can lead to issues with breathing and respiratory failure. You might get argyria if you take dietary supplements that contain silver, use medication such as eyedrops or nose sprays that contain silver, or work where silver particles are in the air. It is thought that it occurs in only one in 75,000 to one in 200,000 people in Europe. How are the causes of cyanosis diagnosed? Aside from being a beautiful shade of bluish-green, spirulina boasts an exciting amount of health benefits. Sleepy - adjective - /slp/. Adil H, Walsh S. Elastoderma: Case Report and Literature Review. Bronchiectasis is destruction and widening of the large airways. Argyria occurs when people are exposed to silver dust, and the most common symptom is skin that turns bluish-gray. Treatment options for the disease are typically topical steroids or hydroxychloroquine. Narrowband UVBphototherapy increasesmelanincontent in the skin and induces skin thickening so to provide some level of protection from the sun. Oral antioxidants such as beta-carotene,Polypodium leucotomas extract, warfarin, and N-acetyl cysteine have been used, but are not supported by evidence. MD can also cause headaches, tinnitus (ringing sound in ears), emotional instability, cough, irregular heart rate, and more. Psoriasis prevalence among adults in the United States. People with this skin disorder have severely thickened skin with large, shiny plates ofhyperkeratotic(thickening of the outer layer of the skin) scale and deeperythematous (red)fissuresseparate the scales. Published January 2018. Cyanosis that is caused by long-term heart or lung problems may develop slowly. Taylor R, et al. 2019;80(3):655-659. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.08.030. Paul Karason - American resident who was a sufferer of Blue Skin . conditions of autosomal recessive. Typically, skin disorders are easy to treat or are so mild that they require no treatment at all. North American clinical management guidelines for hidradenitis suppurativa: Apublication from the United States and Canadian Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundations: Part II: Topical, intralesional, and systemic medical management. Treatment is simple: A tablet of methylene blue, a commonly used dye adds the electron back to methemoglobin, converting it to normal hemoglobin. If silver builds up in the body over a long time, it can cause a condition called argyria. For conditions that affect your heart or blood vessels, your doctor may prescribe medications, surgery, or other treatments. Cyanosis can develop quickly due to an acute health problem or external factor. But sunscreen can help prevent the color from darkening. National Organization for Rare Disorders. Dermatitis. The skin discoloration that argyria causes wont go away. The condition typically occurs around puberty. . Current diagnosis and treatment: Pediatric emergency medicine. This list does not constitute medical advice and may not accurately represent what you have. What causes them, and what you can do about them. An account of the Fugates from 1982 says their skin was nearly purple. Numerous skin areas, including the face, upper chest, armpits, and groyne, are susceptible to developing . 14. The main symptom of acral peeling skin syndrome is excessive painless skin peeling on the hands and feet. Protoporphyrin IX: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Mucus builds up in these airways and can get infected, causing a pneumonia. Your skin may start to turn slate-gray, metallic, or blue-gray. In genetic cases of methemoglobinemia, the recessive gene for the disorder must be passed on by both parents. Cold fingers or toes. It is not clear what causes this increase in elastin in people with this condition.. Protect your heart, blood vessels, and respiratory system by avoiding smoking and second-hand smoke and exercising regularly. 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. Some medications used to help control symptoms include: Soft diets may help until the lesions heal. Acral skin peeling syndrome. Antibiotic medications will also be applied to the wounds to prevent infections. 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. It is an autosomal disease caused by genetic mutations. Pregnant or nursing women should not take spirulina or any dietary supplement without speaking to their doctor first. Areas of skin that turn white then blue. In media portrayals, SCA classically occurs after a heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction. The type of pemphigus depends on where the blisters form, and some are fatal if left untreated. A fall or bump can result in a bruise, where small blood vessels are damaged and leak blood (ecchymosis). Blue skin often means there's an issue with the flow of your blood or oxygen supply. She has been educated in both psychology and journalism, and her dual education has given her the research and writing skills needed to deliver sound and engaging content in the health space. Although hidradenitis suppurativa is a rare skin disorder, affecting up to 2% of the population in the United States and Canada, with the majority of cases presenting in women. Extinct giant tortoise was the 'mammoth' of Madagascar 1,000 years ago. Learn about diagnosis, treatment. There are typically two different courses of treatment, depending on what the doctor thinks caused the skin disorder. The main risk factor is being born to one or both parents who have the gene. Allergic contact dermatitis. The Morgellons Research Foundation has identified an association with three morebacterialpathogens:Chlamydophila pneumonia, Babesia species, and Borrelia species. Symptoms may worsen up topuberty, and sometimes improve with age. Blue baby syndrome, also known as infant methemoglobinemia, is a condition where a baby's skin turns blue. The most famous case history of methemoglobinemia comes from six generations of the Fugate family, who lived in isolation in the hills of Kentucky from 1800 to 1960. (2018). They are known for being carriers of a genetic trait that led to the blood disorder methemoglobinemia, causing the skin to appear blue. There is also drug-induced pemphigus, which is. Smoking can cause cataracts to form at an early age, which may or may not be able to be removed with surgery. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0029908, Savely VR, Stricker RB. Garg A, Kirby JS, Lavian J, Lin G, Strunk A. Sex- and Age-Adjusted Population Analysis of Prevalence Estimates for Hidradenitis Suppurativa in the United States. Learn about our technology. segregation. Free, secure, and powered by Buoy advanced AI to get you the best way to better. Normal hemoglobin for an adult is between 12 and 17 g/dL. 13. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. J Am Acad Dermatol. An Bras Dermatol. Here is a video of the interview of The man who turned blue. Algae is a popular dietary supplement and is considered one of the more essential superfoods. Pemphigus: Signs and Symptoms. 2015;29(11):2100-3. doi:10.1111/jdv.13117, Middelveen MJ, Fesler MC, Stricker RB. They have caused me to have livedoid vasculopathy all over my body. Why Am I Always Tired? Ichthyosis vulgaris: Who Gets and Causes. People who work with silver for a long time can get argyria. Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis successfully treated with etanercept. Symptoms of this rare disease can include: Another disorder that is known to cause the skin to turn to a bluish or silver hue is argyria. Rare green comet not seen since the Stone Age will zoom overhead tonight. (Informed by current CDC guidelines.). Peeling Feet: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment, Hidradenitis Suppurativa (Acne Inversa) Overview, The Connection Between Hidradenitis Suppurativa and PCOS. When tiny blood vessels are injured, blood collects beneath the skin, causing the blue color. Chat and find out the top cause for your specific situation. A reference to "the Huntsville subgroup" is made in the American version of television sitcom Shameless when Kevin Ball (played by Steve Howey) discovers that he may have ancestors from that group. In "blue person disease," excess oxygen-poor hemoglobin causes a dark blue complexion. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The skin is not stretchy and can often appear wrinkled. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Dry skin, also known as xerosis or xeroderma, has many causes, including cold or dry weather, sun damage, harsh soaps, and overbathing. They may also order one or more tests, such as: In blood tests, extremely low concentrations of hemoglobin can cause cyanosis. For example, if you suffer from rosacea, you are more likely to have an outbreak when you are under stress, which results in skin discolorations. This bluish coloring is more common in newborns as their skin learns to adjust to the environment. The disease is not life-threatening, but the discoloration of the skin can pose challenges in day-to-day life. Other symptoms include:. It can turn your skin, eyes, internal organs, nails, and gums a blue-gray color, especially in areas of your body exposed to sunlight. Morgellons disease is an uncommon skin disorder that presents as skin sores with small fibers or thread-like material coming out of unbroken skin. The diamond-shaped plates that form over the skin are separated by cracks, and can affect the eyelids, mouth, ears, nose, and cause limited movement in the arms and legs. Dry skin makes the skin look and feel rough, itchy, flaky or scaly. Melanin in our skin protects our DNA from damage by UV radiation. Sometimes lips that change color may be a warning sign. Exposure to silver can take place through occupational exposure like workers involved in silver mining, taking medications with silver salts such as eye drops, using colloidal silver supplements like those for arthritis and diabetes, and during certain surgical and dental procedures involving silver sutures and silver dental fillings. Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes small, painful bumps on many parts of the body, including the underarms, groin, buttocks, upper thighs, and breasts. The "bluest" of the blue Fugates, Luna Stacy, had 13 children and lived to age 84. [2][7] Based on a report published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation in 1960 by a public health physician named E. M. Scott, who had studied a similar phenomenon among native Alaskans, Cawain concluded that a deficiency of the enzyme diaphorase resulted in an oxygen deficiency in the red blood cells, causing the blood to appear brown, which in turn made the skin of those affected appear blue. Most of the Fugates lived long and healthy lives. Xeroderma pigmentosum is a rare inherited condition in which your body isn't able to repair itself from damage done by ultraviolet rays, including those from light bulbs. The main symptom of pemphigus is blisters on the skin that rupture and become open sores. Eye Drop Usage. Acral peeling skin syndrome is caused by a mutation in the TGM5 gene, which provides instructions for making anenzymecalled transglutaminase 5, a component of the outer layer of skin. TGM5gene mutations reduce the production of transglutaminase 5, which allows the outermost cells of the epidermis to separate easily from the underlying skin and peel off. Some skin diseases such as keratosis pilaris or psoriasis affect millions of Americans each year. 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:. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. This is similar to the process silver goes through when used in black-and-white photography. Psoriasis prevalence among adults in the United States. Children and infants are found to develop symptoms early on in life when exposed to sunlight. Methemoglobinemia can also be caused by exposure to certain drugs and chemicals such as the anesthetics benzocaine and xylocaine. It is often found in people with autoimmune disorders, and is typically found in early childhood cases of Blau syndrome. Blue Skin Disorder or Methemoglobinemia. inheritance. Easy math: poor sleep equals low energy. Tell your doctor about any medications, dietary supplements, or treatments youve used that contain silver, and any other exposure to silver. Under-oxygenated blood is bluer and causes your skin to look. U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Cyanosis is the medical term for when your skin, lips or nails turn blue due to a lack of oxygen in your blood. Some cases have been treated with surgical excision (removal of affected skin), but hyperlaxity of skin often returns following the surgery. Itchy and flaking skin are potential side effects of this illness. The condition can also cause reddish-brown streaks under the fingernails and small, painful nodules in the pads of your fingers. The pigmentation is permanent and almost untreatable. Argyria is a rare condition that makes your complexion to turn blue or gray shade. New York, Main Features LED Light To Prevent Injury . Learn more. Methemoglobinemia can be inherited or acquired. Your doctor may also do a skin biopsy -- taking a small amount of your skin for testing -- to confirm whether you have argyria. Unfortunately, the blue color is usually permanent, even after you stop taking the colloidal silver. 2014;20(2):doj_21540. This condition is also common in people between 18 and 49 years old. Research has found that the prevalence of pemphigus is quite low in the United States at only 5.2 cases per 100,000 adults. Flu shots help, too, by preventing another illness from taking hold. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter.