Physical Examination : Skin Colors

Skin Colors - Physical Examination : Help Guide
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Cyanotic

• COLD PALMS:
• Peripheral cyanosis:
  • Cold.
  • Obstruction.
  • LVF and shock.
  • Decreased cardiac output.
• Central cyanosis:
  • Polycythemia.
  • Altitude.
  • Lung dz.
  • Met-, sulphaemoglobinaemia.
  • Shunt.

Hyperpigmented

• Addison's.
• Drugs.
• Hemochromatosis ["bronze diabetes"].
• Malabsorption.

Jaundiced

• Direct: DROP:
  • Dubin-Johnson/ Diffuse hepatocellular dz [drug or viral hepatitis, cirrhosis].
  • Rotor.
  • Obstruction.
  • Pregnant.
• Indirect: ABCDEFGHI:
  • Anemia [hemolytic, pernicious].
  • Breast feeding jaundice.
  • Craig-Najjar.
  • Diffuse hepatocellular dz [drug or viral hepatitis, cirrhosis].
  • EPO insufficiency [thalassemia, etc].
  • Fetus [physiologic jaundice of newborn].
  • Gilbert's.
  • Heart failure.
  • Internal bleeding.

Pallid

• Anemia.
• Shock.

Carcinoid

• Carcinoid syndrome

Cherry red

• CO poisoning