Everyone Healthy Library
Acrocyanosis
Condition / disease reference page from the Everyone Healthy database.
Connected health information
Explore this condition in a clear order
Linked signs and symptoms
4Each sign/symptom opens its own page and links back to related conditions.
Linked drugs / medications
0No linked drugs are listed yet.
Treatments, therapies and supportive options
4Grouped by treatment type. These are educational database links, not personal treatment recommendations. Evidence labels are shown only where stored in the EH database.
Behavioural changes
1Linked diagnostic tests and investigations
9These are pulled from both EH diagnostic-test link tables, including the older large test-link table.
Biological and test markers
0This visual map uses existing EH database links to show biological agents and lab markers reported as increased, decreased, or associated with this condition. These are educational relationships only; test results must be interpreted by a qualified clinician because ranges vary by lab, method, age, sex and clinical context.
No biological marker links are listed yet for this condition.
Introduction / full article
Acrocyanosis
Acrocyanosis
Acrocyanosis is a painless and persistent blue discoloration (cyanosis) of the face and extremities. If not caused by an underlying medical condition, the discoloration alone is benign.
Causes
Acrocyanosis is more commonly diagnosed in younger females. The cyanosis also tends to worsen in colder conditions, whereas warmer environments may cause it to abate slightly.
Disease pathway
Spasms of the blood vessels (vasospasms) near the skin in the extremities cause constriction of, and subsequently restricted blood flow through the vessels.
Decreased blood flow to the skin results in coolness of the extremities, while insufficient oxygen supply produces the characteristic cyanosis of the affected regions.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Acrocyanosis is characterized by:
· Symmetric cyanosis of the face and extremities;
· Coldness in the affected regions;
· Normal pulse rate; and
· The absence of associated pain.
Clinical diagnosis of acrocyanosis is done based on physical examination. Certain characteristics of acrocyanosis can be used to eliminate the possibility of similar, related conditions, such as Raynaud’s phenomenon, in which cyanosis is not persistent.
Treatment
Medical or surgical treatment for acrocyanosis is usually unnecessary. The patient may be reassured of the absence of serious illness, and advised to avoid cold environments where possible.
Some patients opt for treatment with drugs to induce widening (vasodilation) of the constricted blood vessels, although there is little, if any, solid evidence of their effectiveness.