The two kinds of acrocyanosis are primary and secondary.
Primary acrocyanosis typically isn’t serious and can be due a blood vessel abnormality or changes in your environment.
It’s common in newborns as their circulation changes in the first hours of life.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet New Zealand and © Waikato District Health Boardwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Secondary acrocyanosis can be a sign of an underlying medical condition that needs treatment.
Acrocyanosis vs. Cyanosis
Acrocyanosis is blue discoloration on the extremities such as the hands and feet.
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Reproduced with permission from DermNet New Zealand and Waikato District Health Boardwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Acrocyanosis does not hurt but it can be alarming to see.
The hands and feet are most commonly affected in acrocyanosis.
Skin color may get better with movement, especially when its in the hands.
How Long Does It Last?
How long acrocyanosis lasts depends on whats causing it.
It might only last a few minutes or it could take days to go away.
In some cases, it may come and go for months or even years.
Primary acrocyanosis is triggered by constriction of the small blood vessels that deliver oxygen-rich blood to the extremities.
Secondary acrocyanosis, which is less common, can be due to an underlying medical condition.
Secondary Acrocyanosis
The most common causes of secondary acrocyanosis areRaynauds diseaseand eating disorders.
Other causes of secondary acrocyanosis include:
Can COVID Cause Blue Hands and Feet?
Studies have suggested that blue discoloration on the skin can be a sign of COVID-19 or long COVID.
When blood vessel problems lead to color changes, its acrocyanosis.
Primary acrocyanosis is usually a harmless condition that does not cause any long-term problems.
However, the underlying causes of secondary acrocyanosis can be more serious and may need specific medical treatment.
Testing
Acrocyanosis testing is usually not necessary.
Rarely, circulation in the small blood vessels can be measured with a non-invasive test calledcapillaroscopy.
The test looks at the capillaries at the nailbeds.
Acrocyanosis Treatment
There is no specific treatment for acrocyanosis but the symptoms can be managed.
Once symptoms go away, acrocyanosis in babies usually does not come back.
Secondary acrocyanosis symptoms will need to be treated based on what the underlying cause is.
Prognosis
Acrocyanosis is usually not a serious problem and often gets better on its own.
Secondary acrocyanosis symptoms will usually get better when the underlying condition is diagnosed and properly treated.
Its usually not a serious issue and wont be painful.
However, it can also be a sign of an underlying medical condition that needs treatment.
If you notice skin discoloration, its best to have your provider check it out.
It might be something thats easy to fix with some strategies to keep warm.
If theres another condition causing it, the discoloration will likely improve once that condition is diagnosed and managed.
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Published 2021 Feb 2. doi:10.1002/jgf2.416
