
Blue fingernails, or cyanosis, occur when your blood doesn’t have enough oxygen. This is caused by cold temperatures or medical conditions such as diseases of the lungs or heart, or atypical blood cells or vessels.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Lack of oxygen in blood | Blue fingernails |
Cold temperatures | Blue fingernails |
Chronic conditions | Blue fingernails |
Diseases of the lungs or heart | Blue fingernails |
Atypical blood cells or vessels | Blue fingernails |
Retracted nail beds | Yellow nails |
Thick, crumbly nail growth | Yellow nails |
Fungal infection | Yellow nails |
Thyroid disease | Yellow nails |
Psoriasis | Yellow nails |
Nail polish stains | Yellow nails |
What You'll Learn
Lack of oxygen in blood causes blue fingernails
Lack of oxygen in the blood can cause blue fingernails. This condition is known as cyanosis. It occurs when there isn’t enough oxygen in your blood, making the skin or membrane below the skin turn a purplish-blue color. The skin discoloration could also mean that there’s a high level of an atypical form of hemoglobin in your blood. Hemoglobin is the protein responsible for transporting oxygen in your blood.
Cold temperatures force your blood vessels to constrict, which can also cause your fingernails to turn blue. This is because cold temperatures force your blood vessels to constrict, making the skin or membrane below the skin turn a purplish-blue color.
Heart and lung diseases can also cause cyanosis. Anyone with blue nails should seek medical advice. In some cases, fingernails turn blue or purplish because of cyanosis, which can also affect the lips and skin.
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Cold temperatures cause blue fingernails
Cold temperatures can cause fingernails to turn blue. This is a normal physiological reaction as the body begins to shift blood flow from the limbs, hand and feet, to the chest and abdomen so that internal organs can be kept at the right temperature.
When fingernails turn blue from the cold, this is due to the cold restricting blood vessels and forcing them to narrow. This creates narrow pathways which make it hard for an adequate amount of blood that is oxygen-rich to reach the skin beneath the nails.
If your usual nail colour returns upon warming up or massaging your hands, the blue colour may have been due to that part of your body not getting enough blood supply because of cold temperatures.
Blue fingernails can also be caused by a low level or lack of oxygen circulating in your red blood cells. This condition is known as cyanosis. It occurs when there isn’t enough oxygen in your blood, making the skin or membrane below the skin turn a purplish-blue colour. The skin discolouration could also mean that there’s a high level of an atypical form of haemoglobin in your blood. Haemoglobin is the protein responsible for transporting oxygen in your blood.
Health conditions involving the lungs, heart, blood cells, or blood vessels can cause the blue discoloration in your fingernails. Conditions that can cause cyanosis include the following: chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, including emphysema or chronic bronchitis.
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Cyanosis is a condition where fingernails turn blue
Cold temperatures force your blood vessels to constrict, which can also cause your fingernails to turn blue. This is because cold temperatures force your blood vessels to constrict, making the skin or membrane below the skin turn a purplish-blue color.
Cyanosis can be caused by medical conditions such as diseases of the lungs or heart, or atypical blood cells or vessels. It can also be caused by chronic conditions.
If your usual nail color returns upon warming up or massaging your hands, the blue color may have been due to that part of your body not getting enough blood supply because of cold temperatures.
If your blue nails are accompanied by dizziness or shortness of breath, a trip to the doctor to measure your blood oxygen levels may be in order.
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Narrow pathways make it hard for oxygen-rich blood to reach nails
When there isn’t enough oxygen in your blood, the skin or membrane below the skin turns a purplish-blue color. This condition is known as cyanosis. It occurs when there isn’t enough oxygen in your blood, making the skin or membrane below the skin turn a purplish-blue color. The skin discoloration could also mean that there’s a high level of an atypical form of hemoglobin in your blood.
Yellow nails most commonly occur due to fungal infection, but they may signal thyroid disease or psoriasis in rare cases. Of course, nails can also yellow from nail polish stains, so it could be a simple manicure issue. Retracted nail beds and thick, crumbly nail growth are more signs of a fungus.
You fingernails might turn blue in reaction to cold temperatures, or it could be the result of cyanosis, a condition in which red blood cells lack oxygen. If your blue nails are accompanied by dizziness or shortness of breath, a trip to the doctor to measure your blood oxygen levels may be in order.
If you are concerned about your nail health, it is best to consult a medical professional. They can provide a proper diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment options.
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Yellow nails can be a sign of lack of oxygen
Yellow nails are a common occurrence and are often caused by a fungal infection. However, they can also be a sign of a lack of oxygen in the blood. This condition is known as cyanosis and can cause the skin or membrane below the skin to turn a purplish-blue color.
When there isn't enough oxygen in your blood, the skin or membrane below the skin turns a purplish-blue color. This is because the narrow pathways in the body make it difficult for enough oxygen-rich blood to get to your nails. If your usual nail color returns upon warming up or massaging your hands, the blue color may have been due to that part of your body not getting enough blood supply because of cold temperatures.
A low level or lack of oxygen circulating in your red blood cells can cause yellow fingernails. Other causes can include chronic conditions and cold temperatures. This condition is known as cyanosis. It occurs when there isn’t enough oxygen in your blood, making the skin or membrane below the skin turn a purplish-blue color. The skin discoloration could also mean that there’s a high level of an atypical form of hemoglobin in your blood. Hemoglobin is the protein responsible for transporting oxygen in your blood.
If you suspect that your yellow nails may be a sign of a lack of oxygen, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional. They can help determine the underlying cause of your yellow nails and recommend appropriate treatment.
In addition to yellow nails, other symptoms of cyanosis may include dizziness or shortness of breath. If you experience these symptoms along with yellow nails, it's crucial to seek medical attention to measure your blood oxygen levels and ensure proper treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
Lack of oxygen in the blood can cause blue fingernails or cyanosis, which is a condition where red blood cells lack oxygen.
Cold temperatures can also cause blue fingernails as they force blood vessels to constrict, making it difficult for enough oxygen-rich blood to get to your nails.
When there isn’t enough oxygen in your blood, the skin or membrane below the skin turns a purplish-blue color.
Yellow nails most commonly occur due to fungal infection, but they may signal thyroid disease or psoriasis in rare cases.