Paleness

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Skin layers

Skin pale or gray; Pallor

• A person suddenly develops generalized pallor. Emergency action may be required to maintain proper circulation.
• Paleness is accompanied by shortness of breath, blood in the stool, or other unexplained symptoms.

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting your pallor in detail may include:

• Did it develop suddenly?
• Did it develop in response to reminders of a traumatic event?
• Is it all over (generalized)?
• Is it only in one location? If so, where?
• What other symptoms are also present?
• Is there pain in an affected body part?
• Is there shortness of breath?
• Is there blood in the stool?
• Are you vomiting blood?
• Is there a pale arm or hand, or leg or foot, and the pulse cannot be felt in the area?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• Extremity arteriography (if pallor is localized)
• Blood studies (CBC or blood differential )

Review Date: 07/22/2005
Reviewed By: Jonathan Kantor, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.