Cyanosis
Most people have never heard of sepsis, but it’s a leading cause of death in the United States. According to the CDC, more than 250,000 people die from sepsis yearly. That’s one person every two minutes. One of the first signs of sepsis is cyanosis, which is a condition that causes the skin to turn blue.
In the case of sepsis, blood flow to vital organs decreases, and they begin to fail. Cyanosis occurs when there is not enough oxygen in the blood. The most common symptom of cyanosis is a bluish tinge to the skin, which can also cause the lips and fingernails to look purple or blue.
Cyanosis is often one of the first signs of sepsis because less oxygen reaches the tissues when inflammation decreases blood flow. This can cause the skin to turn blue, especially in areas where blood flow is weaker such as the hands, feet, and lips.
There are several things that people can do to prevent sepsis, such as washing their hands regularly and getting vaccinated against the flu and pneumonia. It’s also important to see a doctor right away when one detects signs or symptoms of an infection.
