What does blue around the lips mean in babies?

Blue lips (cyanosis) “If your baby’s lips are turning blue, or the mucus membranes in their mouth or tongue turn blue, this is a sign that they are not getting enough oxygen,” says Carrie Drazba, MD, a pediatrician at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. This condition is known as cyanosis.

What should I do if my baby has blue lips?

If a blue tinge extends from around the lips to the mouth, tongue, head, or other areas, speak with a healthcare provider immediately. If a baby has bluish lips frequently — with no obvious cause, such as temperature changes — but is otherwise behaving normally, it is worth consulting a doctor.

Why are my lips outline purple?

Low oxygen content in the blood or poor circulation can cause blueish discoloration in the skin and lips. This is known as cyanosis. Cyanosis occurs when the oxygen saturation levels in a person’s blood fall below 85% . A person may also develop cyanosis if they have abnormal hemoglobin.

Why are the edges of my lips blue?

Blue lips occur when the skin on the lips takes on a bluish tint or color. This generally is due to either a lack of oxygen in the blood or to extremely cold temperatures. When the skin becomes a bluish color, the symptom is called cyanosis. Most commonly, blue lips are caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood.

Why do my baby’s hands look purple?

More commonly, it’s only certain areas — like the hands or feet — that has a blue tint. This is usually perfectly normal and just reflects the baby’s somewhat immature blood circulation.

Is cyanosis normal in newborn?

Newborn infants normally have central cyanosis until up to 5 to 10 minutes after birth, as the oxygen saturation rises to 85 to 95 percent by 10 minutes of age [5]. Persistent central cyanosis is always abnormal and should be evaluated and treated promptly.

When should I be worried about blue lips?

People must call 911 if their lips or someone else’s lips change color, and the following symptoms occur: lips, face, tongue, or skin suddenly turn blue or gray. difficulty breathing. chest pain.

Is cyanosis an emergency?

Peripheral cyanosis is usually not a medical emergency. However, central cyanosis is more likely to be a sign of something more serious that requires immediate medical attention.

What causes cyanosis in infants?

Cyanosis is usually caused by abnormalities of the heart, the lungs or the blood. Under normal conditions, after receiving oxygen from the lungs, red (oxygen rich) blood is delivered from the heart to the rest of the body.

Why are my 3 month old feet purple?

If you are concerned about a blue tinge to your baby’s skin, check their entire body. An off-and-on blue cast to the hands and feet, with pink skin elsewhere, is not a sign of a problem, but rather just a little bit of immaturity of the circulatory system, which will go away over time.

What does it mean when your baby’s lips turn blue?

Here are six serious symptoms in babies that you should never ignore. 1. Blue lips (cyanosis) “If your baby’s lips are turning blue, or the mucus membranes in their mouth or tongue turn blue, this is a sign that they are not getting enough oxygen,” says Carrie Drazba, MD, a pediatrician at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

Is it normal for a baby’s mouth to be blue?

Baby blue around mouth may be normal someties. If the lips and tongue remain pink while the area around the mouth turns blue, this is fine.

When to call 911 if Your Baby’s Lips are Blue?

A bluish or purplish tinge around the lips is not usually a cause for concern. If the skin around the lips looks blue or the lips look purplish but the baby is breathing comfortably and behaving normally, the issue is unlikely to be serious. If the baby is struggling or unable to breathe, call 911 immediately.

When to see a GP for Blue Lips?

Blue skin or lips (cyanosis) Blue skin or lips need to be checked urgently in hospital. See a GP if you have blue fingers or toes. lips, tongue, face or skin suddenly turn blue/grey (or gums and round the eyes in darker skin)