Symptoms of blue fingernails

Blue Fingernails

This peculiar condition may be caused by several different factors. Although it may be caused by an underlying disease, it can also be a side-effect of some medications or an indicator of certain deficiencies. Whatever the cause might be, it is important to notice the symptoms in order to react timely and start adequate treatment.

Manifestations and Causes of Blue Fingernails

As far as reasons behind blue fingernails are concerned, there can be several different ones. The most common cause of this condition is cyanosis. This disease is caused by oxygen deficiency in a person's blood. Deprived of oxygen, blood cells eventually change their color from red to blue, resulting in the change of color appearing on fingernails as well.

Alternatively, in some cases of cyanide poison, one may experience blue fingernails as well. Additionally, certain heart problems are known to cause this condition too. Finally, abnormalities in one's hemoglobin levels and concentration may have this condition as its side-effect.

The most common symptoms involve significant breathing difficulties. Also, numbness and paleness all go hand-in-hand with blue fingernails. Chest pain and sweating may be present as well. Blue fingernails, possibly caused by a lung disease as well, may have an additional couple of symptoms. These involve dizziness and proneness to fainting.

Underlying Illnesses Causing Blue Fingernails

If we start considering possible causes of this condition taking into consideration that it might be triggered by another illness, there is quite a long list of likely options. First of all, as mentioned above, these diseases may involve the heart like cardiac tamponade or some other similar conditions.

On the other hand, numerous diseases involving one's respiratory system can also cause blue fingernails. These are asthma, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary edema etc. Additionally, one's poisoning with certain substances like silver or chloroquine is likely to cause this fingernail abnormality.

Finally, a direct injury, caused by different traumas, inflicted blows or fractures results in this discoloration too. There are more reasons behind this condition than those mentioned here. Nevertheless, these are considered to be the most common.

Bear in mind that blue fingernails appearing on the fingers of a pregnant woman may be indicators of a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Subsequently, babies born with blue fingers often suffer from heart or lung problems.

A 12-year-old boy presented with progressive darkening of nails of both hands and feet for the past 3 months. He noticed the blue-black pigmentation of all the fingernails and toenails. Pigmentation was more marked in fingernails, particularly over thumbnails. The pigmentation started proximally and progressed distally. It was associated with hyperpigmentation of distal phalanges and nail bed. There was no history of any exposure to dyes or work in factory, trauma or exposure to any other agents. There was no history of dermatitis or rash prior to this complaint. He was a non-vegetarian. Other systemic examination was unremarkable.

Possibility of B12 deficiency should be considered in case of unexplained pigmentation.
Vitamin B12 deficiency mimicking Addison pigmentation should be ruled out.
Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can cause the reversal of symptoms.
The nail pigmentation associated with B12 deficiency is more frequent in patients with dark skin.

✓ Fact confirmed: Blue nails: window to micronutrient deficiency Lesa Dawman, Indar Kumar Sharawat, Keshavamurthy Vinay; March 05, 2018

Possible Treatment

Whichever the reason behind your blue fingernails might be, you are advised to seek medical assistance as soon as possible. Due to the fact that most of the time the reason is not benign, a timely proper medical examination may be crucial for your further well-being.

After examining your problematic fingernails and diagnosing the causes, your doctor will prescribe you the best therapy for restoring normal color to your fingernails and health to your life.