Am I Seeing Blue Nails or Am I Imagining Things?
Hello everyone, I'm a 17-year-old female with a medical history that includes glaucoma, IBS, anxiety, depression, and asthma. Currently, I'm on Pantoprazole and Montelukast. Over the past five days, I've been experiencing increased difficulty in breathing, particularly when trying to take deep breaths. Today, while riding the bus back from my skills center, I glanced at my hands and observed that my nails appeared slightly blue or purplish in color. A few days ago, my friend and I went for a walk, but we had to pause several times because of persistent chest tightness and shortness of breath, which felt like a heavy pressure in the center of my chest—almost as if something was pressing underneath my sternum. Upon returning home, I immediately used my rescue inhaler as the tightness didn't ease, but I didn't notice any significant improvement. In the last two days, I've also found myself coughing more than usual and my throat has been quite painful, which I initially attributed to developing a cold. However, today the discomfort persisted and I experienced a sharp pain on the right side of my chest while sitting in class. Despite feeling mostly fine during class, I noticed something was amiss on the bus ride back. My hands felt unusually cold to the touch, even though I'm not feeling cold myself and the weather is mild (ranging from the 50s to 60s). Given that my skills center class is nursing-focused, I am aware that cyanosis often indicates low oxygen levels. Unfortunately, I can't locate my pulse oximeter at the moment, but in previous checks, I recorded my oxygen saturation to be around 92-93%. I have a sense that this situation might be more than just a flare-up of my asthma. Do you think I should reach out to my mother and ask her to arrange an appointment with my asthma specialist? I was supposed to have an appointment scheduled this year, but it seems I haven't set one yet; I usually visit at least once annually for check-ups.
Answers (1)
3/19/2025, 2:50:54 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing multiple symptoms that could be concerning, particularly the blue or purplish color of your nails, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and sharp chest pain. These symptoms could indicate a problem with oxygen levels in your blood, and it's essential to take them seriously.
Explanation:
Cyanosis, or the bluish tint in your nails, can indeed be a sign of low oxygen levels, often related to respiratory issues. Combined with your asthma and the recent symptoms you've described—such as increased coughing, chest tightness, and pain—it’s crucial to assess your situation further. These symptoms may indicate that your asthma is not well-controlled at the moment, and they could require immediate attention.
Next Steps:
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Contact Your Mother: It’s important to communicate your symptoms to your mother as soon as possible. Share all the details you've mentioned here, including the blue color of your nails, difficulty breathing, and chest pain.
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Use Your Rescue Inhaler: If you haven’t already, use your rescue inhaler to help alleviate your breathing difficulties. Make sure you're using it properly and consider using it as directed for symptoms.
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Seek Medical Attention: Given your symptoms, it’s wise to schedule an appointment with your asthma specialist promptly. Consistently monitor your symptoms and if they worsen (increased breathlessness, severe chest pain, or any new symptoms arise), seek emergency medical help.
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Self-Monitor: Keep track of any changes in your symptoms, especially concerning your breathing and oxygen levels if you can locate your pulse oximeter. This information will be valuable for your healthcare provider.
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Avoid Triggers: Identify and avoid any potential asthma triggers, such as allergens or irritants in your environment, until you can talk with your specialist.
Please prioritize these actions, and remember to stay calm. You’re doing the right thing by seeking support and addressing these symptoms early.
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