The edges of the lips turn blue. Why does the upper and lower lip turn blue? What to do on your own

Sometimes we notice that some of the surrounding lips have a blue or purple hue. The blue tint of the lips can indicate serious problems in the functioning of the body and the alarm signal cannot be ignored. If you notice that the shade of the lips turns blue, then you should undergo a medical examination.. Blue lips can be accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, blue legs, irregular heartbeat, sweating, severe coughing, and difficulty breathing.

Doctors call blue lips cyanotic. The main cause of blue lips is considered to be lack of oxygen in the body or oxygen starvation, which occurs due to cyanosis of the skin. Symptoms of oxygen starvation are the characteristic purple color of the skin and all mucous membranes, which is caused by an increase in the content of reduced hemoglobin in the blood.

First of all, in patients with cyanosis, problems with the cardiovascular system are suspected and referred for verification to a cardiologist. Another common cause of blue lips is a bad habit - smoking. The body is adversely affected by toxic substances inhaled with tobacco smoke, of which there are about 4000.

In addition to blue lips, a person may have pallor of the skin. In this case, it is likely that a person suffers from iron deficiency anemia. Anemia is the most common cause of blue lips in a pregnant woman. Iron is the most important trace element that takes part in many processes in our body. Iron is found in hemoglobin, which turns blood red. A low hemoglobin level can be observed not only with insufficient intake of iron from food, but with heavy blood loss, for example, during menstruation in women or severe injuries and peptic ulcers.

Quite often, the cause of blue lips in children is a serious condition called croup., which is certainly accompanied by a strong cough, violations of normal breathing.

If red lips change their natural color over time, and the patient has a breath holding, rapid pulse, then we can talk about obvious symptoms of problems with the lungs or heart. The patient may have a heart attack, develop bronchitis, or develop asthma. All this indicates oxygen starvation. Sometimes the lips turn blue also due to the formation of a blood clot in the lungs. In this case, you must immediately seek help from a doctor.

Also, blue lips can often be observed with hypothermia. At low temperatures, the blood vessels located in the lips narrow, which does not allow blood to fill them completely. As a result, most of the blood begins to flow from these vessels to the internal organs: the brain, heart and kidneys, which helps maintain a constant temperature throughout the body. The natural pink color of the lips and skin occurs only if the blood moves through the vessels constantly at the same speed and in the usual volume. It will be possible to return their pink color to pale lips after warming the body, as well as a number of measures that will help small blue blood vessels no longer appear through the thin skin of the lips.

Sometimes blue lips occur in people with Raynaud's disease, when the vessels in the extremities burst under the influence of low temperatures or from severe stress. The human body tries to fill the vessels with blood, which ultimately gives the body a blue tint.

Blue lips during pregnancy are a sign that there is not enough iron in the body of the expectant mother. This problem is quite common, so today drugs are already known that can help in resolving it.

When blue lips appear, it is recommended to restore blood circulation as soon as possible. For this, first of all, it is necessary warm the body. You can quickly warm up if you wrap yourself in a warm blanket. Hot tea helps to warm up, but not too strong, since caffeine, on the contrary, can cause vasoconstriction. It is also recommended to give up bad habits.

Before using the drugs listed on the site, consult your doctor.

Sometimes attentive parents notice that the child's lips turn blue in some situations. A blue or purple tint appears on the surface of the skin of the baby. Sometimes blue lips in a child appear in the morning after sleep, after active games, or under other circumstances. Of course, such a condition in a child causes panic in parents. Therefore, it is important to know why babies appear blue, what it may indicate and what to do.

Normally, the skin of the baby's lips should be pink. Blueness anywhere on the body can be a symptom of cyanosis and is therefore always a concern. Cyanosis indicates that there is a lack of oxygen in the blood fluid. Usually this condition is inherent in those children who have a congenital heart disease. Also, blueness above the upper lip in a newborn or an older child can be triggered by septic shock, an epileptic fit, pathological processes in the organs of the respiratory system - pneumonia, asthma or laryngitis.

But cyanosis does not always indicate danger. For example, blue areas around the mouth in newborn babies, as well as if the upper or lower limbs turn blue, such signs indicate the presence of natural acrocyanosis. In this situation, the bluish tint of the skin is peripheral cyanosis and, as the circulatory system develops, goes away on its own. Knowing the reasons for the appearance of blue, one can judge whether this is the norm or not.

Appearance of central cyanosis

There are also other reasons why a child has blue lips, face or torso. If, in addition to turning blue lips, the baby has a blue color of the epidermis on other parts of the body - on the face, upper or lower limbs, this may indicate the presence of a more dangerous health problem - central cyanosis. This condition requires immediate medical attention and immediate treatment.

Blue lips can be a temporary condition when babies cry or eat. Also, the causes of such a symptom lie in increased activity or an outburst of anger, hysteria, at a temperature. In this situation, when crying, it is not the skin itself on the lips that turns blue, but the areas around the mouth, while the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and tongue remain pink. How to distinguish the norm from the dangerous state? It is necessary to carefully consider the skin of the baby. If the nail plates and tongue remain pink, and the lower or upper lip turns blue, this is a temporary condition that usually goes away on its own.

If the lips, the surface of the mucous membrane and tongue, the nail plates are covered with a bluish tint, this is an alarming symptom that requires an immediate visit to the doctor and finding out the cause of this condition.

Norm and pathology

To detect potential pathology during blue lips in a child, attention should be paid to such factors:

how well the baby grows and develops. If any pathologies appear, he does not gain weight or loses it in combination with blue areas of the body. This should alert parents and encourage them to contact the doctor;
with previously diagnosed heart murmurs, such a symptom is dangerous and requires an immediate visit to the doctor;
it is important to pay attention to the presence of other symptoms, such as difficulty eating, coughing, difficulty breathing. This combination may indicate the development of bronchial asthma;
how active the baby is. If there is too rapid fatigue of the child compared to his peers, this may signal the presence of more serious health problems;
if after the blue skin the baby becomes lethargic, it tends to sleep, this may indicate that the brain and many other organs are experiencing an acute lack of oxygen.

If, in addition to the fact that the lower lip or upper lip is blue, there are other alarming signs, changes in appearance, sudden changes in the behavior of the baby, it is important to visit a doctor as soon as possible, find out why such conditions appear, and take appropriate measures. After all, a specialist can much faster and easier find out the cause of such a manifestation, determine whether it is a norm or a pathology. You should not make any diagnoses on your own, much less start any treatment. In each case, everything is individual.

Diagnostic and therapeutic measures

Regardless of whether additional symptoms are present along with the blueness of the lips, it is recommended to contact a pediatrician or a cardiologist as soon as possible. Only a specialist can determine how dangerous this condition is for the baby's body.

If there is any doubt about cyanosis, additional diagnostic measures are prescribed - an electrocardiogram, pulse oximetry, a laboratory blood test, and a chest x-ray. Such examinations will help to detect possible pathologies in the heart apparatus.

Depending on the discovered causes of cyanosis, therapeutic measures will be prescribed. Most often, treatment is carried out in a hospital, where the child will be under medical supervision around the clock.

Sometimes parents see this picture: the child's lips become purple or bluish. This may appear in the morning immediately after waking up or after overly active games or other circumstances. Naturally, every parent is seriously scared. Blue lips can be a sign of a number of health problems in a child, such as cyanosis.

Cyanosis, however, is not always a dangerous factor. Newborns and infants may have natural acre cyanosis - cyanotic lips or a bluish tint to the skin on the legs and arms. In this case, blueing is peripheral cyanosis - usually, with the development of the circulatory system, it goes away on its own.

Central cyanosis

Central cyanosis, that is, when the face or torso of the baby takes on a bluish tint - this may indicate a more serious and dangerous health problem. As a rule, in this case, immediate diagnosis and treatment are necessary. Blue lips can be a symptom of central cyanosis, but at the same time, blue lips can be a completely harmless temporary blue of the skin around the baby's mouth, especially when eating or while crying. It can also happen with increased activity or an outburst of anger in a child. In such a case, the skin around the mouth turns blue, and not the lips themselves, and the tongue and oral mucosa remain pink.

You can distinguish dangerous cyanosis from non-dangerous if you carefully examine the lips, tongue, nails of the child. In the event that they are pink, then most likely the child has perioral cyanosis, which does not cause concern. But if the lips, tongue and nails have acquired a blue tint at the same time, you should immediately contact a qualified doctor for medical help.

Normal or not

To detect a potentially dangerous violation if the child's lips turn blue - what parents need to remember:

Is the child developing normally? Rapid weight loss or poor weight gain may indicate that there is a dangerous health problem.

Has the child been diagnosed with a heart murmur? If yes, then you need to seek emergency help immediately.

Does the child have any other symptoms (difficulty breathing or coughing) during blue lips? This may indicate one of the symptoms of asthma.

Is the child energetic compared to peers? In the event that the child quickly overworks and at the same time has blue lips, this may indicate a more dangerous and serious problem. To the doctor!

Does the child become lethargic and drowsy after blue lips? Perhaps the brain and organs of the baby do not have enough oxygen.

Diagnosis and treatment

Regardless of whether blue lips accompany other symptoms, it is recommended to seek advice from a pediatrician as soon as possible. Only a doctor can determine how dangerous cyanosis is for a child's health.

If the doctor is in doubt about cyanosis, then the child may be referred for additional diagnostics, which includes a blood test, pulse oximetry, a chest x-ray, or an ECG if there are suspicions of a heart disorder. Treatment will depend directly on the cause of blue lips.

IMPORTANT: This applies to all parents - "Never make a diagnosis on your own and do not self-medicate, because delay can be expensive and not in terms of finances - your child may simply lose his health!"! After all, it is always easier to treat the disease at the initial stage than the consequences of delay!

Blue lips in a child is a symptom that indicates internal disorders or diseases. The hue changes due to fluctuations in the level of hemoglobin in the blood and its saturation with oxygen. Such manifestations in children become a frequent cause of diseases of the respiratory system and heart. First you need to provide first aid, then contact a medical facility.

The most common reasons why the lips turn blue are malfunctions of the heart, blockage of blood vessels. The phenomenon is due to tissue hypoxia. If the lower, upper lip turns blue, then a violation occurs as a result of a weak outflow of venous blood and an imbalance of arterial inflow.

The reason is a subcutaneous tumor, inflammation. The process is due to closely spaced vessels in the muscle of the lips. Such manifestations occur in a child when bathing in cold water or when he is hypothermic.

When crying, the mouth often turns blue in a small child. If an infant cries for a long time, this provokes blood flow to the area of the lips, chin, oxygen spraying speeds up the pace as a result of high lung activity. If the child has calmed down, the cyanosis has subsided, do not worry.

The reasons why the baby's lips may turn blue, not related to the disease:

lack of oxygen in enclosed spaces;
hypothermia on a walk at low temperatures;
strong physical activity.

A possible cause of discoloration of the lips is a combination of all factors.

The main causes of blue lips in a child:

pneumonia;
pneumonia;
asthma attack.

If the baby has no appetite, he is losing weight, lethargic, there is crying, coughing, fever, then you need to urgently go to an ambulance.

There is such a reason for the blue triangle near the mouth as respiratory syndrome. The disease is not very dangerous, it is directly related to age-related changes. Associated with excitement.

Symptoms:

blue lower lip;
triangle near the mouth;
face;
throat spasms.

There is a lack of calcium in the child's body. In children older than 4 years, the disease resolves on its own.

Metabolic cyanosis can cause bluish lips in newborns.

In such cases, an excess of phosphates occurs in the body, and a lack of sufficient calcium. Such phenomena occur after hemorrhage inside the skull, cerebral edema.

Congenital heart disease in infants provokes blue lips. A sign of pathology is a violation of blood circulation. In such babies, by 9-12 weeks, the following symptoms appear:

dyspnea;
loss of consciousness;
blue nasolabial triangle;
convulsions.

Treatment requires surgery between the ages of 3 and 6 years.

Cyanosis is manifested due to the presence of a respiratory disease - croup. It affects children under 3 years of age.

Symptoms:

dry cough;
wheezing;
heat.

A dangerous condition is accompanied by salivation, suffocation, the upper lip turns blue.

What danger is cyanosis, is determined by the condition of the tongue and nails of the baby.

If they have a pink tint, a healthy appearance, there is a possibility of perioral cyanosis, which does not cause danger.

If a bluish tint appears on the tongue, nails, mouth, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Possible complications

If the lips of a child turn blue, this may be due to asphyxia. It causes such complications:

suffocation;
blockage of blood vessels by a thrombus.

It is urgent to call an ambulance.

When determining shock, an infant may have:

weakness;
hard breath;
pallor, gray skin;
pulsation acceleration;
weak consciousness.

Poisoning of the body, an attack of bronchial asthma are accompanied by an increase in symptoms in a period of 24 hours:

shortness of breath appears;
dizziness occurs;
bluish mucous membranes, nails.

For a long time, the presence of signs of blue may indicate chronic diseases.

Complications associated with methemoglobinemia:

an overdose of antibiotics;
hereditary pathology.

In a child whose lips turn blue during the first weeks of life with a hereditary pathology, there is a change in the color of the earlobes, nails and the triangle. Complications - subsequently, such children often lag behind in psychomotor development.

If treatment is not prescribed on time, the infant may subsequently develop the following complications:

Psychoneurosis.
Structural damage to the brain.
Asomnia.
The protective functions of the body are reduced.
Loss of appetite.

In severe cases, a coma is possible.

How to get rid of blue lips

If cyanosis is accompanied by a lack of air, breathing and malaise in the child become more frequent, first aid at home:

open the collar and chest so that the clothes do not squeeze;
provide air flow by opening the window;
rub your feet and hands;
call for emergency help.

In a hospital setting, the child is examined by a pediatrician and specialized doctors to determine the cause of the blue mouth.

What will help make the color of the lips pink:

restore blood flow;
normalize pressure;
prevent a seizure.

These steps will help you avoid complications. Then you need to find out the reason that caused the blueing.

The following diagnostic methods are used:

blood analysis;
x-ray of the respiratory organs;
tomography;
calculation of blood flow velocity;
determination of the composition of exhaled air;
electrocardiography.

The method of treatment will depend on the diagnosis. The goal of therapy is to eliminate oxygen deficiency.

After hypothermia for a crying baby, the following measures must be taken:

Wrap your body in a warm blanket.
Give warm tea.

Such actions will help to warm up faster, blood circulation will resume, blood flow will provide a pink color to the lips.

If your lips turn blue at a temperature, you should immediately consult a doctor. Children under 1 year of age are prescribed special medicines in extreme cases.

Drug treatment for older children will allow:

improve the flow of air to the lungs;
increase blood concentration.

The influx of a sufficient amount of hemoglobin with oxygen leads to normalization of color, eliminates cyanosis. In case of hypoxia and heart diseases, a hardware procedure is prescribed - inhalation of concentrated oxygen.

positive action:

improves blood flow to distant tissues;
improves the condition of the respiratory system.

The doctor may prescribe oxygen cocktails:

components are aimed at increasing the concentration of oxygen in the blood;
the cyanosis near the oral triangle disappears;
absolutely safe for the body.

Cocktails can be used at home without medical assistance. In some cases, it is possible to use folk recipes.

Blue lips are a symptom of diseases manifested by a change in the color of the lips to blue. The reason is the blood deprived of a significant dose of oxygen, in which deoxyhemoglobin accumulates.

If you stay in the cold for a long time, freeze, then the question - why does the mouth change color in an adult - does not arise. If there are no visible reasons, you should consult a doctor to help the body.

The medical name for bluish lips is cyanosis. Where the epidermis is thinner, darkening of the blood becomes noticeable. Cyanosis is manifested in diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, anemia.

In children

Newborns often develop acrocyanosis. A bluish tint appears on the palms and feet. This phenomenon is not dangerous - with the progression of the circulatory system, peripheral cyanosis of the lips will pass by itself. Do not worry if the skin around the mouth turns blue, the so-called perioral cyanosis. This sometimes happens when the child is active, very angry, does not stop crying, for example, from colic, when the baby seeks to tighten his legs. The mucous membrane of the mouth, while the tongue is healthy pink.

If blueness is noticed on the lips, tongue and nails, consult a doctor.

If the baby's lips turn blue, analyze the following points:

whether the child is losing weight, is his development normal;
whether there are symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing - this is how asthma can manifest itself;
Are there any heart murmurs?
whether there is increased fatigue, lethargy and drowsiness, whether the baby is active.

Blue lips can occur with congenital heart disease. Arterial blood combines with venous blood that is not enriched with oxygen, blood circulation is disturbed. In the absence of symptoms at birth, after 2-3 months, shortness of breath attacks may appear, the nasolabial triangle acquires a bluish color, convulsions appear. Treatment occurs by surgery at 3-6 years.

A childhood croup disease can also cause cyanosis. Signs - stenosis of the larynx, inflammation of the respiratory tract. The temperature rises, dry cough torments, especially in the morning and evening, wheezing is heard. With a strong narrowing of the pharynx, salivation increases, the upper lip turns blue, and asthma attacks are disturbed.

Children with cyanosis are observed by a pediatrician. After identifying the reasons, he will refer the child to a specialized specialist.

In adults

Blue lips in an adult are not necessarily due to illness. Take into account the following factors:

long-term stay in places with insufficient oxygen content (metro, airplanes, closed vehicles);
hypothermia;
being at high altitude;
operations under general anesthesia;
strong physical activity;
smoking;
alcohol abuse;
pregnancy (with iron deficiency).

Health problems that cause blue lips:

Violation of the respiratory system. Signs of pathology - dry or wet cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain. May indicate the presence of a pulmonary thrombus, bronchial asthma, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, pneumothorax.
Violation of the cardiovascular system. Cyanosis can occur when the blood supply to small blood vessels is poor. Often the cause is heart failure - the body does not provide full access of blood to the organs. Other diseases - high blood pressure, rhythm disturbance, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy can cause a change in lip color.
Severe poisoning of the body, in which enzymes in the tissues are blocked.
Shock condition with large blood loss (trauma, menstruation in women), anaphylactic shock, septic shock, fluid loss. Symptoms of the disease state - dizziness, weakness, rapid pulse, pale skin with blue.
Reynaud's disease is a rupture of small vessels in stressful situations, exposure to low temperatures, overvoltage.

If the upper or lower lip turns blue and swollen, this may indicate inflammation or neoplasms of the skin. Changes inside the vessels lead to a failure of the blood microcirculation system. It can turn blue due to a blow or a bite.

Bluish lips can become due to herpes, treatment with oxolin ointment. Herpes is a viral disease characterized by blisters on the skin and mucous membranes. It is transmitted mainly by contact, including through kissing. When treating a rash with oxolin, a side effect often occurs - blueness of the skin. It is harmless and does not require therapy.

In women, lips of this color can be the cause of an unsuccessful tattoo by a non-professional master. We will correct the deficiency - you need to contact a specialist, he will correct the situation in several procedures.

How to get rid of cyanosis of the lips

If symptoms of cyanosis are present, the patient is given oxygen therapy. Only a doctor can find the cause of blueing - it is advisable to be examined by a cardiologist, pulmonologist and endocrinologist. It is necessary to pass the prescribed tests, to identify the cause of the disease.

If the cause of blue lips is impaired blood circulation, you can apply treatment with folk remedies that give positive feedback. It's easy to make them at home:

Mask of aloe juice and honey. The ingredients are diluted in equal proportions and applied to the blue area. Suitable for adults and children.
Horse chestnut tincture. The fruits are infused in cool water for half a day. Boil the infusion. Drink 12 days 30 minutes before meals, 1 tablespoon 3 times a day.

Folk remedies cannot be the only treatment! Seeing a doctor for cyanosis is mandatory.

First aid

If the mouth turns blue sharply, there is shortness of breath, dizziness, rapid pulse, vomiting, call an ambulance. It is necessary to ensure the flow of oxygen, loosen the collar of the clothes, seat in a comfortable position.

If the patient is cold, you need to warm the body, cover it with a blanket, rub the limbs. Hot drinks will also help raise your body temperature. The exception will be strong coffee, caffeine constricts blood vessels.

Warm up will help physical activity, jumping, running. The vascular tone will increase, blood circulation will be restored, and the tissues will be provided with oxygen in the required volumes.

If you turn blue during pregnancy, an urgent consultation with a gynecologist is necessary - anemia is likely, self-medication is contraindicated.

Prevention of the appearance

In the presence of chronic diseases of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, blood diseases, it is necessary to undergo regular preventive examinations. Adhere to the right lifestyle - take walks in the fresh air more often, give the body moderate physical activity, eat right. If you smoke, try to get rid of this habit, as well as from drinking alcohol.

Blue lips should not be ignored. Timely seeking medical help and properly selected treatment will return good health and a vibrant, healthy complexion.