What causes purple lips?
Sep 11, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
In general, purple lips may be caused by low temperature, intense physical activity, anemia, hypoxemia, chronic bronchitis, etc. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. In daily life, avoid prolonged exposure to cold environments, reduce strenuous exercise, ensure adequate rest, maintain a balanced and varied diet, and keep warm, all of which can help promote overall health.
In general, purple lips may be caused by low temperature, intense exercise, anemia, hypoxemia, or chronic bronchitis. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly and identify the underlying cause under the guidance of a qualified physician before initiating treatment. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Low temperature
Under cold stimulation, the body maintains core temperature through vasoconstriction, reducing blood supply to peripheral areas such as the lips, which may result in purple discoloration. Appropriate clothing should be worn and prolonged exposure to cold environments should be avoided, which helps alleviate lip discoloration.
2. Intense exercise
During intense physical activity, the body's demand for oxygen increases, and insufficient oxygen supply may temporarily cause lips to turn purple. After exercising, adequate rest and deep breathing can help the body gradually return to normal.
3. Anemia
In patients with anemia, the total volume of red blood cells in circulation is reduced, leading to inadequate oxygen delivery to meet bodily needs. This may cause lips to appear purple due to hypoxia, possibly accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness and poor appetite. Treatment may include medications such as ferrous sulfate tablets, ferric ammonium citrate tablets, and vitamin C tablets, taken as directed by a physician.
4. Hypoxemia
Patients with hypoxemia suffer from inadequate oxygen supply, which affects blood circulation in the lips and may lead to purple discoloration. Symptoms often include difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. Medications such as citrated caffeine injection, doxofylline tablets, and terbutaline sulfate tablets may be used under medical supervision.
5. Chronic bronchitis
Inflammation of the bronchi may impair lung gas exchange or cardiac pumping function, resulting in decreased blood oxygen levels and causing lips to turn purple. Patients may also experience symptoms such as coughing and wheezing. Treatment options include ambroxol hydrochloride oral solution, compound salbutamol sulfate inhaler, and Feining granules.
In daily life, avoid prolonged exposure to cold environments, reduce intense physical activity, ensure sufficient rest, maintain a balanced and varied diet, and keep warm to promote overall health.
