Pale, white, blue, or cold limb
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Pale, white, blue, or cold limb
The color of the skin in your arm or leg may change depending on the temperature and if the limb has been in a certain position too long. Your hands and feet may look pale, white, or blue when they are hanging down, but return to a pink color when they are elevated. These color changes might not be noticeable if you have dark skin.
Your arm or leg may become pale, white, blue, or cold when blood flow has been decreased or cut off. This condition requires immediate medical attention, especially if your symptoms appeared suddenly or occur with cold skin or loss of function. If the skin of your arms or legs has been pale or blue for a while, medical evaluation is still recommended but not as urgently.
Credits
| Author | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Last Updated | August 4, 2008 |
| Last updated: | August 04, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Reviewed By: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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