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'Pallor' is a reduced amount of oxyhemoglobin in skin or mucous membrane, a pale color which can be caused by illness, emotional shock or stress, avoiding excessive exposure to sunlight, anaemia 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 lips, tongue, palms, mouth and other regions with mucous membranes). It is distinguished from similar symptoms such as hypopigmentation (loss of skin pigment).
Pale skin is also a very light skin tone most commonly associated with people of European descent, particularly people of Celtic and Scandinavian descent. In addition, people who avoid excessive sun exposure and thus avoid unhealthy sun tanning also tend to have paler complexions in comparison to their peers, particularly during summer.

Contents

Possible causes

Possible causes

★ death (pallor mortis)

★ migraine attack or headache

★ natural genetics

★ emotional response, eg fear, embarrassment, grief

★ anemia (due to blood loss, poor nutrition, or underlying disease)

★ shock, a medical emergency caused by illness or injury

★ frostbite

★ cancer

★ leukaemia

★ albinism

★ heart disease

★ hypothyroidism

★ hypopituitarism

★ scurvy

★ tuberculosis