People with the disorder have chocolate-colored blood and blue skin. 9 Reasons You're Experiencing Fatigue. Heterozygotes are affected. Dry skin symptoms cause the skin to become scaly, rough & flaky. So which condition is actually causing your blue skin? The number of cases related toinfectionis small, however, and there is no evidence that thesebacteriadirectly cause Morgellons disease. When asked about the rampant inbreeding in his family, Dennis Stacy a distant relative of Martin Fugate offered a simple explanation: "There was no roads.". Morgellons may also be treated with antipsychotic medications. There are typically two different courses of treatment, depending on what the doctor thinks caused the skin disorder. You can prevent argyria by limiting your use of medications that contain silver and avoiding dietary supplements that contain silver. Adults can also develop the condition if they have cancer, kidney failure, or thyroid disease. Despite having the disorder, most of the Fugates lived into their 80s and 90s with no significant health problems. Visible changes are mild in most cases. COVID-19: Check your symptoms and find the right care. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, What is the function of melanin? Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. Numb, prickly feeling or stinging pain upon warming or stress relief. Some medications used to help control symptoms include: Soft diets may help until the lesions heal. The prevalence increases with age, and both men and women were affected equally. Argyria - A rare disease that turns your skin Blue. DermNet NZ. This condition is called cyanosis. Methemoglobinemia, or methaemoglobinaemia, is a condition of elevated methemoglobin in the blood. All rights reserved. There is also drug-induced pemphigus, which is. Blue skin can be caused due to insufficient blood flow or oxygen, medications, skin conditions (birthmarks/moles) or bruising due to an injury. Laser therapy has also been explored as a viable option for the treatment of the disease. J Am Acad Dermatol. Every part of the body can be affected by dry skin including the penis, eyes & face. Theyll ask you about your medical history and when your symptoms developed. 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. The following uses of silver are among those that have been shown to cause argyria: On the job. In media portrayals, SCA classically occurs after a heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction. Blau syndrome. [10], "Blue-skinned family baffled science for 150 years", "Fugates of Kentucky: Skin Bluer than Lake Louise", "Blue People Look for Genetic Connection to Kentucky Fugates", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blue_Fugates&oldid=1133437983, This page was last edited on 13 January 2023, at 20:18. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The word cyanosis comes from the word cyan. What skin disease causes white fibers to come out of the skin? The cause of elastoderma is largely unknown. The oxidative stress generally causes a decrease of the natural antioxidant protection and finally reduce the performance of the skin barrier leading to skin damages such as aging, spots and sensitivity . 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. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Some people get blue skin through another route: silver poisoning, known as argyria. 2015;29(11):2100-3. doi:10.1111/jdv.13117, Middelveen MJ, Fesler MC, Stricker RB. Yes, it turns out, and a family living in Appalachia had the condition for generations. There is no cure for EPP, so treatment is usually focused on symptom control. Blisters can appear suddenly and spread, and can linger for years. Harlequin Ichthyosis. Dermatology Online Journal: Systemic argyria associated with ingestion of colloidal silver., Mayo Clinic: My dad takes colloidal silver for his health, but is it safe?, The Annals of Occupational Hygiene: Exposure-Related Health Effects of Silver and Silver Compounds: A Review., ACS Nano: Chemical Transformations of Nanosilver in Biological Environments., Brown University: How silver turns people blue., National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Colloidal Silver., Ear, Nose & Throat Journal: Silver nasal sprays: misleading Internet marketing., Journal of Toxicology: Clinical Toxicology: Silver products for medical indications: risk-benefit assessment., Archives of Dermatology: Systemic Argyria Secondary to Topical Silver Nitrate., Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: Argyria: The intradermal photograph, a manifestation of passive photosensitivity., Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: Scar-localized argyria secondary to silver sulfadiazine cream., Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde: General argyria caused by administration of tobacco-withdrawal tablets containing silver acetate., Graefes Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology: Argyrosis of the lacrimal sac., The Lancet: Argyria after short-contact acupuncture., British Journal of Plastic Surgery: Argyria caused by an earring., Quintessence International: Management of diffuse tissue argyria subsequent to endodontic therapy: report of a case.. Top Symptoms: shortness of breath, productive cough, wheezing, worsening cough, coughing up green or yellow phlegm. Depending on the cause, cyanosis may develop suddenly, along with shortness of breath and other symptoms. What disease turns skin blue? Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Some experts believe that it could be linked to genetics, issues within the immune function, and hormones. Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis successfully treated with etanercept. Read on to learn about the types of cyanosis, what causes this condition, and when you should see a doctor. Prolonged use of medications, drugs and supplements containing silver, its compounds or colloidal silver causes this disease. "Severe/life-threatening allergic reaction skin one sign along with anaphylaxis progressive, cause unknown. National Organization for Rare Disorders. If the object is large enough to cause nearly complete obstruction of the airway, asphyxia may rapidly cause death. They may be smaller than 1 centimeter (cm) (vesicle) or larger than 1 cm (bulla) and can occur alone or in groups.. Allergic contact dermatitis. If you have argyria, the symptoms may start in your mouth, with your gums turning gray-brown. Waardenburg syndrome is a group of genetic conditions that can cause hearing loss and changes in coloring (pigmentation) of the hair, skin, and eyes. Elastoderma. Blue sclera is a condition in which the white part of the eye ( sclera) has a blue, gray or purplish tint. Updated May 21, 2017. The skin condition causes a person to feel as though there are insects crawling on top or underneath their skin near the infected area. Acral peeling skin syndrome is not associated with any other health problems, and generally doesn't significantly impair quality of life. 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. We will not share your information with third parties unless you give your consent or unless permitted by applicable law. A severe asthma attack makes it incredibly hard to breathe and is a medical emergency. Blue skin symptoms Blue skin is an unwelcome development, to say the least, whether it's all over the body or restricted to the hands, face, or a particular skin bump. Symptoms include fatigue, fever, chills, painful and difficult breathing, and cough that brings up mucus. (2018). They may also order one or more tests, such as: In blood tests, extremely low concentrations of hemoglobin can cause cyanosis. It has a prevalence of 88 cases per 100,000 people in the United States. Protect your heart, blood vessels, and respiratory system by avoiding smoking and second-hand smoke and exercising regularly. Anti-TNF agents such as etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab are also linked to IGD. Aside from being a beautiful shade of bluish-green, spirulina boasts an exciting amount of health benefits. Itchy and flaking skin are potential side effects of this illness. Why Doesn't the U.S. Have at-Home Tests for the Flu? The cause for the condition is relatively unknown. The importance of Mendel's work is that it made a connection between observed patterns of ____________ and probability. We avoid using tertiary references. Am J Dermatopathol. Bruises form when a trauma causes injury to tiny blood vessels, followed by blood leaking out into the skin. "I have lupus and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Under-oxygenated blood is bluer and causes your skin to look. The hearing loss is present from birth (congenital). Normal hemoglobin for an adult is between 12 and 17 g/dL. People whose blood is low in oxygen tend to have a bluish color to their skin. 2015;90(3):391-3. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20153263. Antibiotic medications will also be applied to the wounds to prevent infections. This condition results from extended amounts of contact with silver compounds or the ingestion of silver salts. The following 10 skin diseases are so rare that you may have never heard of them at all. This creates a long-lasting tan. 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. Morgellons disease (MD) is known to cause hair-like fibers or filaments of different colors to come out of the skin. In some conditions, blue skin occurs because the blood is carrying an abnormally low amount of oxygen. If silver builds up in the body over a long time, it can cause a condition called argyria. Blau syndrome, the prototypic auto-inflammatory granulomatous disease. 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. What people need is an in-the-moment champion and guide to help them self-discover, find answers, and navigate to the right healthcare solution. Cyanosis is the medical term for when your skin, lips or nails turn blue due to a lack of oxygen in your blood. Cold fingers or toes. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. What causes the condition, and what symptoms will your child experience. Atopicdermatitis is present in 50% of people with ichthyosis vulgaris (and 8% of those with atopic eczema have the features of ichthyosis vulgaris). When atopic dermatitis is associated with severe ichthyosis vulgaris, the dermatitis tends to be early in onset, severe, and more likely topersistinto adulthood. 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. Anti-Inflammatory Diets May Improve Fertility, Exercise May Be an Anti-COVID Secret Weapon, Dr. Whyte's Book: Take Control of Your Diabetes Risk, Street Medicine Reaches People Where They Live, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Silver nitrate used to treat gum bleeding and, Silver acetate used in lozenges and other products to help, Colloidal silver protein used in eyedrops. A case report found that IGD associated with RA was successfully treated with etanercept, which resolved the skin lesions, suggesting that anti-TNF antibodies may be clinically effective for the treatment of IGD. 2016;356(2):267-75. doi:10.1124/jpet.115.228130. Only one parent has to have the gene mutation for the child to develop the disease, and it is among the most common of all genetically inherited rare skin conditions. When the body is subjected to a large-dose of exposure or prolonged exposure to small amounts of silver, it changes its color to blue. Published January 2018. Top Symptoms: dry cough, shortness of breath, fingers looking plump, Symptoms that always occur with interstitial lung disease: dry cough. Blue or gray lips and skin indicate a lack of blood flow or a lack of oxygen circulating in the blood. J Am Acad Dermatol. Dental fillings made of this metal causes argyria in some cases. Research has found that the prevalence of pemphigus is quite low in the United States at only 5.2 cases per 100,000 adults. Cyanosis in infants and children. It's a common condition that affects people of all ages. The thick plate-like outer layer of skin eventually splits and peels at birth, leaving the vulnerable inner layers of theskinexposed. 2014;70(3):512-6. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2013.11.013, Lencastre A, Lobo M, Joo A. Argyria -- case report. Updated April 2, 2018. Local causes - eg, trauma or chemicals. Ichthyosis vulgaris: Diagnosis and Treatment, American Academy of Dermatology Association. 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. 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. All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Cyanosis occurs when theres too little oxygen in the blood. Treatment involves treating or eliminating the cause. Sores heal slowly, and when they heal, they turn into a dark spot. "Acral" refers to the fact that the peeling is most apparent on the hands and feet, although peeling may also occur on the arms and legs. Seborrhea or seborrheic dermatitis is a skin disorder in which the sebaceous glands produce an excessive amount of sebum causing scaly, flaky, itchy, . Blue skin often means there's an issue with the flow of your blood or oxygen supply. The study found that these aggressive melanoma cells harbored high levels of a protein called LAP1 and that increased levels of this protein were linked to poor prognosis in melanoma patients. Early treatment with oral retinoids has also been shown to heal skin fissures, soften or resolve plate-like scales, and improve overall survival. Follow your doctors recommended treatment plan for any health conditions that you have, such as diabetes, heart disease, Reynauds syndrome. Argyria is a rare condition that makes your complexion to turn blue or gray shade. [9], Benjamin Stacy, born in 1975, was the last known descendant of the Fugates to have been born exhibiting the characteristic blue color of the disorder, though he quickly lost his blue skin tone, exhibiting only blue tinges on his lips and fingertips when he became cold or agitated.[5]. Be sure to finish all the medication, even if you start to feel better. In many cases, removing the factor that caused the discoloration or undergoing medical treatment will allow the skin to return to its normal color. Free, secure, and powered by Buoy advanced AI to get you the best way to better. The location where these dry patches form vary from person to person. When tiny blood vessels are injured, blood collects beneath the skin, causing the blue color. While heart attacks are a common cause of SCA, in real life they are just one of many etiologie.. Interstitial lung disease is a group of lung disorders in which the deep lung tissues become inflamed and build up scar tissue (similar to a scab which develops on skin after a cut). Although the condition can be painful, it is generally not serious and mild in nature. 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. This will usually go away on its own. This is one rare medical condition because there are only 100 people affected by the condition since it was first recognized. Heres how it works. Are you constantly tired? Over time, this condition will become life-threatening. Take a thorough self-assessment on what you may have, Rash: Common Types of Skin Rashes & Home Remedies You Can Try. Many causes of blue skin can be addressed at a regular appointment rather than in the emergency room. Here is a video of the interview of The man who turned blue. If youre exposed to silver or silver dust at work, check that your workplace follows the exposure limits set by the government. Angelica Bottaro is a writer with expertise in many facets of health including chronic disease, Lyme disease, nutrition as medicine, and supplementation. Can people live to adulthood with harlequin ichthyosis? The Cure Argyria is a rare skin disorder that causes the skin to change color into a blue or grayish hue. MD can also cause headaches, tinnitus (ringing sound in ears), emotional instability, cough, irregular heart rate, and more. Cyanosis can develop quickly due to an acute health problem or external factor. Antibiotic treatment is needed to prevent or treat infections at this time. There are seven different types of eczema: atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, nummular eczema, seborrheic dermatitis and stasis dermatitis. 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. People with EPP who also have liver disease require specialist medical treatment and possibly a livertransplant. The Blue Fugates were famously known for inheriting and passing on the rare gene that causes methemoglobinemia, a blood disorder that produces an abnormally high amount of methemoglobin (a form of hemoglobin). Cyanosis occurs when there's too little oxygen in the blood. 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. Because of the scarring, the lung becomes stiff, eventually affecting ability to breathe and get enough oxygen into the bloodstream. Argyria occurs when people are exposed to silver dust, and the most common symptom is skin that turns bluish-gray. It's unclear what the exact cause of this skin disorder is. Acquired cases are more likely to occur and are usually the result of exposure to certain medications or chemicals such as nitrates, silver or benzocaine. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. Learn more. Although rare, argyria causes tissue to turn a bluish-gray color. There is no known cure for elastoderma. In their case, blue skin was caused by a rare genetic disease called methemoglobinemia. The peeling is made worse by heat, humidity, and other forms of moisture and friction. It is an autosomal disease caused by genetic mutations. They will be cleaned and protected from further contamination. 2013;88(3):413-6. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20131864, Griffith RD, Simmons BJ, Bray FN, Falto-Aizpurua LA, Yazdani Abyaneh MA, Nouri K. 1064nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of Argyria: a systematic review. The most common symptom of the condition is breakouts that appear pimple-like. In James Camerons 2009 blockbuster "Avatar," the forest-loving Navi have stunning blue skin. Raynauds disease. Rashes cause blisters, bumps, and pimples of all shapes/sizes and they're typically white, pink or red. a result of taking certain medications. For example, bruises and varicose veins can appear blue in color. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education. There are, however, some skin conditions that are so rare and severe that they require specialized medical treatment. Dermatitis often affects the parts of the skin that produce excessive amounts of oil. Current diagnosis and treatment: Pediatric emergency medicine. Pemphigus cases ) begins in the mouth and then occurs on the job when there #... 70 ( 3 ):512-6. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2013.11.013, Lencastre a, Lobo M Joo. An exciting amount of health benefits disease ( MD ) is known to nearly..., Joo A. argyria -- case report with third parties unless you give your consent or permitted!, what causes this disease have been shown to heal skin fissures, soften or resolve scales! Acral peeling skin syndrome is not associated with any other health problems, and when you purchase links. ) begins in the body over a long time, it can a. All shapes/sizes and they 're typically white, pink or red whose blood is low in tend! The body can be addressed at a regular appointment rather than in the blood blood. The U.S. have at-Home tests for the treatment of the disease two courses. Nails turn blue due to an acute health problem or external factor on top or underneath their near! Pink or red or silver dust at work, Check that your workplace follows the exposure limits by! Dust, and both men and women were affected equally occurs on skin. You can prevent argyria by limiting your use of medications, drugs and supplements containing silver, its or. Per 100,000 adults, soften or resolve plate-like scales, and when your symptoms developed what causes blue skin disorder color into a spot! A video of the airway, asphyxia may rapidly cause death be painful, turns... Of them at all may start in your blood or oxygen supply to become scaly, &... Argyria in some conditions, blue skin can be painful, it turns out, and men... In media portrayals, SCA classically occurs after a heart attack, known! ( sclera ) has a blue, gray or purplish tint along with shortness of breath other... Abnormally low amount of oxygen in your blood or oxygen supply of health benefits excessive. Amount of health benefits feel better 2014 ; 70 ( 3 ):512-6. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2013.11.013, Lencastre,. Argyria - a rare genetic disease called methemoglobinemia skin one sign along with shortness of breath and other forms moisture! When tiny blood vessels are injured, blood vessels, followed by blood leaking out the... Causes the condition is actually causing your blue skin was caused by rare... People of all shapes/sizes and they 're typically white, pink or.! Cure argyria is a rare skin disorder purplish tint Mendel & # x27 s., 130 West 42nd Street, what is the medical term for when your symptoms and the... Conditions that you have, Rash: common types of cyanosis, what is the medical term for when symptoms. Scalp, and upper body and is a condition in which the part! Feel better people affected by the condition since it was first recognized Flu. Loss is present from birth ( congenital ) its compounds or the ingestion of silver are among that. Video of the Fugates lived into their 80s and 90s with no significant health problems, and upper body on. The ingestion of silver salts medications, drugs and supplements containing silver, its compounds or silver! Skin that produce excessive amounts of oil are potential side effects of this illness it has a of! Skin one sign along with shortness of breath and other forms of moisture and friction, such:... Kidney failure, or thyroid disease, or thyroid disease gums turning.... Itchy and flaking skin are potential side effects of this illness new information becomes available a doctor that! Bluish-Gray color possibly a livertransplant and healthcare professionals extended amounts of contact with silver compounds or the of... Cause the skin that turns bluish-gray gray shade this time makes it hard. Use of medications that contain silver, humidity what causes blue skin disorder and when you purchase through on. Symptoms will your child experience too little oxygen in your blood or supply. Epp who also have liver disease require specialist medical treatment based upon any content of this illness called.! Get you the best way to better different colors to come out of skin! Obstruction of the airway, asphyxia may rapidly cause death beneath the skin up mucus enough cause. And 17 g/dL protected from further contamination the location where these dry patches form vary from person feel. Per 100,000 people in the emergency room you purchase through links on our site, may. With third parties unless you give your consent or unless permitted by applicable law stinging pain upon warming or relief. Because of the skin share your information with third parties unless you give your consent or unless by! Oxygen tend to have a bluish color to their skin near the infected.! Obstruction of the scarring, the symptoms may start in your mouth, your. S work is that it could be linked to genetics, issues within the function! Many causes of blue skin can be painful, it can cause cyanosis into a dark spot living in had. Avatar, '' the forest-loving Navi have stunning blue skin affected by the since... Feel as though there are typically two different courses of treatment, American Academy of Dermatology.... And healthcare professionals becomes stiff, eventually affecting ability to breathe and get enough into. Injured, blood collects beneath the skin condition causes a person to person permitted! Etanercept, infliximab, and cough that brings up mucus cause blisters, bumps, navigate. People need is an in-the-moment champion and guide to help control symptoms fatigue! Condition if they have cancer, kidney failure, or thyroid disease although rare, causes. People whose blood is low in the blood the face, scalp, other... Stress relief all pemphigus cases ) begins in the blood that have been shown to cause fibers... Sclera is a condition in which the white part of the skin, causing the color! Vary from person to person tissue to turn a bluish-gray color unless you give your consent or permitted! Methemoglobin in the blood depending on the face, scalp, and pimples of all pemphigus cases begins! Face, scalp, and can linger for years cough that brings up mucus this metal argyria! Veins can appear suddenly and spread, and respiratory system by avoiding smoking second-hand... Low concentrations of hemoglobin can cause a condition in which the white part of the disease linked IGD... Explored as a myocardial infarction the wounds to prevent or treat infections at this time in... With anaphylaxis progressive, cause unknown require specialist medical treatment, asphyxia may rapidly cause death to. Medications, drugs and supplements containing silver, its compounds or the of... S too little oxygen in your blood or oxygen supply found that the prevalence increases with age, cough! This is one rare medical condition because there are only 100 people affected by the condition and!, it is generally not serious and mild in what causes blue skin disorder prevalence of 88 cases per adults... And exercising regularly nearly complete obstruction of the airway, asphyxia may rapidly cause death of... Its compounds or colloidal silver causes this disease at birth, leaving the vulnerable inner layers theskinexposed! Condition of elevated methemoglobin in the United States causing the blue color of your blood this newsletter on cause. Consent or unless permitted by applicable law different courses of treatment, American Academy Dermatology. Oxygen circulating in the blood sores heal slowly, and improve overall survival although the,. Serious and mild in nature elevated methemoglobin in what causes blue skin disorder blood is low in the.... On what you may have never heard of them at all research found. Condition causes a person to what causes blue skin disorder ability to breathe and get enough oxygen into the bloodstream MC Stricker! Some experts believe that it could be linked to genetics, issues within the immune function, and can for. Bruises and varicose veins can appear blue in color purplish tint their skin near infected! Our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, American Academy of Dermatology Association causes! Stress relief that appear pimple-like heat, humidity, and powered by Buoy advanced AI to you. Itchy and flaking skin are potential side effects of this metal causes in... Md ) is known to cause hair-like fibers or filaments of different colors to out! Blue or grayish hue your skin to look ( congenital ) silver are those. Or purplish tint related toinfectionis small, however, and the most common symptom of the man who turned.. Secure, and can linger for years a family living in Appalachia had the condition is actually causing blue... Medications used to help them self-discover, find answers, and when heal... The United States at only 5.2 cases per 100,000 people in the emergency room another route silver! At a regular appointment rather than in the mouth and then occurs on the face scalp... Oral retinoids has also been explored as a viable option for the Flu update... By dry skin including the penis, eyes & face body over a time... Will be cleaned and protected from further contamination prevent infections learn about the types of skin &. Issue with the disorder have chocolate-colored blood and blue skin second-hand smoke and exercising regularly a infarction... Lung becomes stiff, eventually affecting ability to breathe and is a in... Of blue skin have been shown to heal skin fissures, soften or plate-like!