10 Sickle Cell Anemia Symptoms
Symptom #9: Pallor
Pallor refers to the paleness that can be seen in stressful situations, use of stimulants, emotional shock, illness, and anemia. Pallor is visible in the skin (i.e. palms and soles), mucous membranes, and the conjunctivae of the eye. In anemia, regardless of the cause, there is poor tissue oxygenation. Oxygenated blood is precious, thus its shunted away from the skin and other peripheral tissues, to permit enhanced blood blow to vital organs. This gives rise to pallor, an important physical finding in patients with anemia.
Besides anemia, other causes of pallor include vitamin D deficiency, lead poisoning, motion sickness, hypothyroidism, blood loss, and more.
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