Definition

Acrocyanosis is a decrease in the amount of oxygen
delivered to the extremities. The hands and feet turn blue
because of the lack of oxygen. Decreased blood supply
to the affected areas is caused by constriction or spasm of
small blood vessels.

Description

Acrocyanosis is a painless disorder caused by constriction
or narrowing of small blood vessels in the skin of affected
patients. The spasm of the blood vessels decreases the
amount of blood that passes through them, resulting in less
blood being delivered to the hands and feet. The hands may
be the main area affected. The affected areas turn blue and
become cold and sweaty. Localized swelling may also occur.
Emotion and cold temperatures can worsen the symptoms,
while warmth can decrease symptoms. The disease is seen
mainly in women and the effect of the disorder is mainly
cosmetic. People with the disease tend to be uncomfortable,
with sweaty, cold, bluish colored hands and feet.

Causes and symptoms

The sympathetic nerves cause constriction or spasms
in the peripheral blood vessels that supply blood to the
extremities. The spasms are a contraction of the muscles
in the walls of the blood vessels. The contraction
decreases the internal diameter of the blood vessels,
thereby decreasing the amount of blood flow through the
affected area. The spasms occur on a persistent basis,
resulting in long term reduction of blood supply to the
hands and feet. Sufficient blood still passes through the
blood vessels so that the tissue in the affected areas does
not starve for oxygen or die. Mainly, blood vessels near
the surface of the skin are affected.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made by observation of the main clinical
symptoms, including persistently blue and sweaty
hands and/or feet and a lack of pain. Cooling the hands
increases the blueness, while warming the hands decreases
the blue color. The acrocyanosis patient