Types of Cyanosis: Central vs. Peripheral
Recognising Cyanosis Types: Causes, Risk Factors & Diagnosis
Peripheral and central cyanosis are similarly recognised with the particular skin discolouration. In contrast, both types of cyanosis can be differentiated based on their affected areas of the body and underlying risk factors.
Introduction
Cyanosis etymologically derives from "kyanos," a Greek word that refers to the dark blue colour. It is defined by mucous membrane discolouration and an abnormal bluish tone of the skin.
This blog examines different types of cyanosis and compares underlying risk factors, characteristics to determine accurate treatment and diagnosis. Moreover, it highlights similarities, symptoms of central and peripheral cyanosis, and their treatment.
What is Cyanosis? How does it occur?
Cyanosis is a pathological disease that causes dark blue discolouration of the mucous membrane and the skin. The underlying disease occurs due to an increased, abnormal or reduced haemoglobin in the blood vessels. Haematological parameter alterations, keratinisation, extended skin pigmentation, capillary density, renal and pulmonary functional changes influence cyanosis fluctuations.
Cyanosis appears in the thin overlying dermis and rich superficial vein areas. The most common affected areas are the skin, lips, tongue, gums, and ends of toes, earlobes and fingers. For dark skin, this disease appears on the tongue, lips, fingertips, and around the eyes.
What are the Three Main Types of Cyanosis?
There are three main types of cyanosis: central, peripheral, and differential cyanosis.
1. Central Cyanosis
The type of cyanosis is a bluish discolouration of visible mucous membranes and body areas, including lips, mouth and tongue. Central Cyanosis indicates problems of abnormal or deoxygenated haemoglobin and gaseous exchange.
2. Peripheral Cyanosis
Peripheral cyanosis is a purple or bluish discolouration on fingertips, hands and toes. Apart from the distal extremities, it can sometimes occur in periorbital and circumoral areas.
3. Differential Cyanosis
Differential cyanosis indicates serious cardiopulmonary problems that cause asymmetrical bluish colour between the lower and upper extremities. This type of cyanosis requires urgent medical attention to manage serious complications such as cardiac failure, stroke, and pulmonary hypertension.
What are the Major Differences Between Peripheral and Central Cyanosis?
The primary difference between the two types of cyanosis is that in peripheral cyanosis, blue colourisation is easily localised and affected by cold. Conversely, central cyanosis is defined as generalised bluish discolouration. The table below represents major differences between central and peripheral cyanosis:
| Parameters | Central Cyanosis | Peripheral Cyanosis |
| Discolouration and Affected Areas | Central cyanosis indicates bluish-green discolouration in oral mucus membranes, core organs, and warm body parts. The bluish discolouration is generalised and does not disappear upon application of warmth. | It is a localised purple or blue skin discolouration of cold body areas. Sometimes, it affects the surrounding areas of the eyes and mouth, but it never affects the mucous membranes. |
| Main Reason for Occurrence | It occurs when the body does not have enough oxygen, resulting in abnormal or low-oxygen blood. Abnormal haemoglobin and gaseous exchange issues are the major causes of central cyanosis. | Peripheral cyanosis occurs due to increased oxygen extraction of the peripheral tissues in capillary beds. When blood does not contain enough oxygen, it turns dark, which reflects blue light and makes the skin blue. |
| Risk Factors | Risk factors of central cyanosis include heroin overdose, tonic seizures, impaired alveolar-arterial diffusion and ventilation-perfusion mismatch, and heart failure. People suffering from valvular heart disease, high altitude, hypothermia, polycythemia, obstructive sleep apnea, pneumonia, COPD, asthma and bronchitis are susceptible to central cyanosis. | Raynaud phenomenon, cold exposure, vasomotor instability, venous obstruction, hypothermia and heart failure are risk factors of Peripheral cyanosis. People with chronic diseases like Buerger disease, hyperviscosity, polycythemia, cardiac diseases and macroglobulinemia may trigger peripheral cyanosis. |
| Areas of Occurrence | This type of cyanosis appears in the lips and mouth, including the tongue, gums and mucous membrane. The bluish tint sometimes occurs on the surrounding areas of the eyes, ears, skin, and nail beds. | Peripheral cyanosis mainly occurs in the toes and fingers. This underlying disease sometimes spreads to the skin surroundings, such as the eyes and lips. |
| Diagnosis Tests | Echocardiography, ventilation-perfusion scan, ECG, CXR, arterial blood gases, FBC, haemoglobin spectroscopy and digital subtraction angiography are required to diagnose central cyanosis. | Apart from physical examination, a blood sample test, chest X-ray, CT scan, arterial blood gas test, and a non-invasive pulse oximeter test help to diagnose. |
| Treatment Options | This type of cyanosis requires treatment with oxygenation drugs, antibiotics, and immunisation medicines. In the case of treating central cyanosis due to a congenital heart defect, surgery is the only option. | Treatment involves medications based on the underlying causes to treat the lungs, heart and maintain blood flow. Oxygen therapy is required to restore the oxygen level. Quitting smoking, cutting caffeine and changing lifestyle are helpful treatments. |
What Symptoms are Associated with Different Types of Cyanosis?
The primary symptom of cyanosis is skin discolouration, a bluish tone in particular body parts. All types of cyanosis reflect some common symptoms, which are:
- Numbness
- Low body temperature
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Breathing difficulties
- Fatigue or extreme tiredness
- Headache
The central cyanosis patients may experience some other symptoms, including:
- Blue skin variation, such as discolouration in lips, fingers, tongue and toes
- Chest Pain
- Fever
- Fainting
- Sweating profusely
- Grasping for breathing issues
On the contrary, Peripheral cyanosis drives different symptoms, which are:
- Purple or bluish discolouration in fingers and toes
- Absent clubbing
- Low pulse volume
- Discolouration disappears with warming and massage
- Absent dyspnea
- Sudden pain in hands, feet, legs
- Concentration difficulties
- Difficulty breathing
Similarly, differential cyanosis indicates some recognisable symptoms, including:
- Blue-toned discolouration mainly in legs and feet compared to hands
- Enlargement of fingertips
- Breathing difficulties
- Abnormal heart sound
How to Manage Central and Peripheral Cyanosis?
Cyanosis patients and their family members need to be aware of treatment options and risk factors to control the progression of different types of cyanosis. Apart from antibiotic medicines, surgery, oxygen therapy and medications, here are some medical tips to follow:
- Physiotherapy is an evidence-based and effective intervention
- Muscle training
- Breathing exercises
- Quit smoking or tobacco use
- Control cholesterol level
- Maintain blood pressure
- Avoid immobility for a longer period
- Avoid extreme temperatures
Final Words
Peripheral cyanosis occurs due to lower blood pressure, Raynaud syndrome, and heart failure. It causes blue discolouration in the skin, fingers, and toes in cold temperatures.
Conversely, central cyanosis happens due to low-oxygen blood, abnormal haemoglobin, and gaseous exhalations.
It affects core organs, the mucous membrane, hands, legs, and fingernails. All types of cyanosis have common symptoms, including fever, breathing issues, blue skin, and fatigue.
People also search for
Zucchini Benefits
/health-info/zucchini-benefits/
Types of X Ray
/health-info/x-rays-types-risks-and-preparation/
Wrist Pain Causes
/health-info/wrist-pain-symptoms-causes-and-treatment/
Worst Foods For Autoimmune Disease
/health-info/worst-foods-for-autoimmune-disease/
Watermelon Seeds Benefits for Hair
/health-info/watermelon-seeds-benefits-for-hair-and-skin/
Vegan Diet Plan for Muscle Gain
/health-info/vegan-diet-for-muscle-gain/
Dairy Milk Types
/health-info/types-of-milk/
Turnip Benefits
/health-info/turnip-health-benefits/
Pecan Nuts Benefits
/health-info/top-10-health-benefits-of-pecans/
Sprouts Benefits
/health-info/sprouts-benefits/
Milk Tea Side Effects
/health-info/side-effects-of-milk-tea/
Sardine Fish Benefits
/health-info/sardine-benefits-nutritional-value/
How Many Saffron Threads Per Day
/health-info/saffron-health-benefits/
Itchy Skin Allergy
/health-info/relieve-uncontrollably-itchy-skin/
Red Light Therapy for Face
/health-info/red-light-therapy/
Peanuts For Fatty Liver
/health-info/peanut-consumption-and-liver-health/
Passion Fruit Juice Benefits
/health-info/passion-fruit-benefits/
Acerola Cherry
/health-info/nutritional-benefits-of-acerola-cherries/
Diet During Pregnancy
/health-info/nutrition-during-pregnancy/
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
/health-info/non-alcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/
Neurocutaneous Syndromes
/health-info/neurocutaneous-syndromes/
Multivitamin Food
/health-info/multivitamin-supplements/
Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney
/health-info/multicystic-dysplastic-kidney/
Monogenic Disorders
/health-info/monogenic-diabetes-symptoms/
Information on this Health Information page is for educational purposes and not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for any health issues and rely on their guidance for diagnosis and treatment. T & C apply. For further detailed information or inquiries, feel free to reach out via email at marketing.d2c@starhealth.in