View source for Pallor

{{SignSymptom infobox |
  Name        = Pallor |
  ICD10       = {{ICD10|R|23|1|r|20}} |
  ICD9        = {{ICD9|782.61}} |
}}
'''Pallor''' is a reduced amount of [[hemoglobin|oxyhemoglobin]] in [[skin]] or [[mucous membrane]], a pale color which can be caused by illness, emotional shock or stress, stimulant use, lack of exposure to sunlight, [[anemia]] or genetics. It is more evident on the [[face]] and palms. It can develop suddenly or gradually, depending on the cause.

Pallor is not usually clinically significant unless it is accompanied by a general pallor (pale [[lip]]s, [[tongue]], [[hand|palm]]s, [[mouth]] and other regions with [[mucous membranes]]). It is distinguished from similar symptoms such as [[hypopigmentation]] (loss of skin [[pigment]]).

[[Human skin color|Pale skin]] is also a very light skin tone most commonly associated with people of [[European ethnic groups|European]] descent, particularly people of [[Celtic people|Celtic]] and [[Scandinavian people|Scandinavian]] descent. In addition, people who avoid sun exposure and thus avoid [[sun tanning]] also tend to have paler complexions in comparison to their peers. 

==Possible causes==
* [[Migraine|migraine attack or headache]]
* natural [[genetics]]
* excess [[estradiol]] and/or [[estrone]]
* vitamin D deficiency
* lack of [[sun tanning]]
* [[weight gain]]
* [[osteoporosis]]
* emotional response, due to [[fear]], [[embarrassment]], [[grief]]
* [[anemia]], due to blood loss, poor [[nutrition]], or underlying disease such as [[sickle cell anemia]]
* [[Shock (medical)|shock]], a medical emergency caused by illness or injury
* [[frostbite]]
* [[cancer]]
* [[hypoglycemia]]
* [[leukemia]] 
* [[albinism]]
* [[panic attack]]
* [[heart disease]]
* [[hypothyroidism]]
* [[hypopituitarism]]
* [[scurvy]]
* [[shock (medical)]]
* [[tuberculosis]]
* [[sleep deprivation]]
* [[Depression (mood)|depression]]
* [[pheochromocytoma]]
* [[squeamishness]]
* [[visceral larval migrans]]
* High doses or chronic use of [[amphetamines]]<ref>Erowid.org, chemicals, amphetamines, amphetamines_effects</ref>
* Reaction to [[ethanol]] and/or other drugs such as [[cannabis]]
* [[Lead poisoning]]

{{Skin and subcutaneous tissue symptoms and signs}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{refimprove|date=July 2006}}

[[Category:Medical signs]]
[[Category:Dermatologic terminology]]
[[Category:Symptoms and signs: Skin and subcutaneous tissue]]

{{med-sign-stub}}

[[ar:شحوب]]
[[it:Pallore]]
[[ml:വിളർച്ച]]
[[pl:Bladość]]
[[pt:Palidez]]
[[te:పాలిపోవడం]]
[[Category:2Fix]]