Acrocyanosis: Causes And Treatment

Acrocyanosis has no effective treatment, but it is not a condition of concern either.

Acrocyanosis is a  clinical setting characterized by blue staining at the extremities. It mainly affects the hands and feet. The term comes from the Greek, “ akro ” means “extreme” and “ kyan ” means “dark blue”. It is a persistent and painless blue coloration.

In addition, acrocyanosis usually occurs in women. It more often affects the fingers of the hand. This condition tends to occur during exposure to cold or stressful situations. In this article, we explain the causes and treatment.

What are the causes of acrocyanosis?

Acrocyanosis corresponds to a blue coloration as well as to the coldness of the distal parts of the limbs. Sweating is also common. It is due to an  arterial spasm, often caused by cold or emotional stress.

The clinical setting is due to the fact that when the arteries contract, it  is more difficult for blood to reach the most extreme parts of the body. Therefore, oxygen does not reach the extremities either. The fingers of the hands and feet then turn blue and cold.

The causative factors of acrocyanosis are unknown. In patients, immune alterations are often seen. First of all, there is an elevation of antinuclear antibodies (ANA). These are antibodies that are found in large quantities in autoimmune diseases. There are also circulating immunocomplexes.

Acrocyanosis  occurs more often in women, usually around the age of 20. But it can sometimes appear during childhood. It has also been observed quite frequently in patients with schizophrenia. However, this cannot be considered as an etiological factor. Acrocyanosis is associated with certain drugs. For example, beta blockers as well as some chemotherapy substances .

What are the symptoms ?

As we mentioned,  this is a permanent vascular syndrome. The affection is generally symmetrical. In addition, it is predominant in the fingers and hand, and to a lesser extent, in the feet. It is important to clarify that the cold is not a trigger as we might think. This is an aggravating factor for the symptoms, which are less pronounced during the hot seasons.

Although it is a painless condition, sometimes the person may experience greater sensitivity and pain. This happens when the outside temperature is very cold. Acrocyanosis is also characterized by excessive production of sweat, which manifests itself mainly in the palms of the hands. It also increases under emotional stress and in hot weather.

On the other hand, acrocyanosis  can cause self esteem issues  in the patient. More specifically because it is very visible, but also because of hyperhidrosis.

Unlike Raynaud’s syndrome, the blue coloration persists in acrocyanosis. It is not easy to turn back, let alone trophic changes or ulcers. In addition, pain is present in Raynaud’s syndrome.

Types of acrocyanosis

This condition is classified into two types:

• Primary: it is more common between the ages of 20 and 30 and rarely occurs after menopause. This phenomenon suggests a hormonal influence in this pathology.
• Secondary: it is a form that is associated with fasting and nervous anorexia. It has also been observed in neoplasias, diseases such as syphilis, etc. Including following the administration of certain drugs, in particular some antidepressants.

The treatment

There is no specific and effective treatment for this disease. However, it is recommended to avoid exposure to cold temperatures. Likewise, it is better to minimize stressful situations. Sometimes medicines are used to dilate the arteries. These are calcium channel blockers. The problem is that their effectiveness has not been demonstrated.

Conclusion…

Finally, it is  essential to explain to the patient that this is not a serious illness. It should also be understood that this is a permanent syndrome, and that certain situations can make it worse. If the person fully understands the mechanism and the triggers, they will be able to better manage the situation.