Pallor

Pallor

ICD-10	R23.1
ICD-9	782.61

Pallor is a reduced amount of oxyhaemoglobin in skin or mucous membrane, a pale color which can be caused by illness, emotional shock or stress, stimulant use, or anemia.

Pallor is more evident on the face and palms. It can develop suddenly or gradually, depending on the cause. It is not usually clinically significant unless it is accompanied by a general pallor (pale lips, tongue, palms, mouth and other regions with mucous membranes). It is distinguished from similar presentations such as hypopigmentation (lack or loss of skin pigment) or simply a fair complexion.

Possible causes

• migraine attack or headache
• excess estradiol and/or estrone
• vitamin D deficiency
• osteoporosis
• emotional response, due to fear, embarrassment, grief
• anemia, due to blood loss, poor nutrition, or underlying disease such as sickle cell anemia
• shock, a medical emergency caused by illness or injury
• frostbite
• common cold
• cancer
• hypoglycemia
• leukemia
• panic attack
• motion sickness
• heart disease
• Peripheral vascular disease
• hypothyroidism
• hypopituitarism
• scurvy
• tuberculosis
• sleep deprivation
• pheochromocytoma
• squeamishness
• visceral larval migrans
• High doses or chronic use of amphetamines
• Reaction to ethanol and/or other drugs such as cannabis
• Lead poisoning