Bluish skin or mucous membranes is called cyanosis and is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues, usually transporting a full supply. These blood cells are bright red, hence the pink or reddish tone of the skin. Blood that has lost its oxygen is dark bluish-red or purple. When their oxygen levels drop, even a small amount, a person maybe develop cyanosis. This symptom is associated with pulmonary hypertension -- high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs.

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