Acrocyanosis

Under acrocyanosis (also: Akroasphyxie, Acroasphyxia or as a mistranslation from English acrocyanosis ) refers to a blue coloration ( cyanosis ) of the body appendages ( acral ), such as the fingers, toes, nose and ears, which in young women occurs predominantly. Other features include cold and clammy skin, possibly a doughy swelling and paresthesia. If the discoloration is pushed away, they occur when released from the periphery starting up again. This is referred to as iris phenomenon.

Cause

Temperatures between 15 ° C and 18 ° C will trigger the acrocyanosis. Acrocyanosis is also a symptom of heart and lung diseases (eg, Eisenmenger's reaction ) and cryoglobulinemia and anorexia nervosa.

Pathogenesis

Due to the influence of low temperatures, the arterioles pull in acral stronger together than normal, resulting in an insufficient supply of oxygenated blood. Due to the predominance of the deoxygenated blood it comes to the blue coloration of fingers and toes. Cold agglutinins also react in the cold with the red blood cells and lead to reversible clumps, which then can clog the small blood vessels temporarily.

Therapy

• Disease symptom