hello, i am a worried mum, just wondering if anyone can put my mind at rest. my little boy is 2 he has had many chest infections since was born and has been diagnosed with asthma he uses a steriod inhalor twice a day and montelukast tablet, he recently got ill with sickness and diarrea and also had a fever, during this time i noticed thats his lips were blue, he was not sruggleing to breath though, i took him straight to see the gp and when we arrived there his lips were pink again , i spoke to the doctor who said he had a viral infection and i asked her about his lips going blue and she said it was nothing to worry about, nearby where i live a little girl who was only 3 died last year with a heart problem she was waiting for a transplant, and i cant stop worring about my little boy since then, i told the doc i was worried about his heart, she listend to it and said it sounded fine, but i still cant stop worring, has this blue lips thingy happend to any-one else and what was the outcome ? does any-one know what i should be looking for to see if my son has a problem with his heart ? please help i am going out of my mind with worry
Hi there lyndsey1304 and a very warm welcome to Hp,:wave:
I haven't had a similiar experience with any of my 3 children, so my advice would be is to perhaps seek a second opinion or ask for your son to be referred to a cardiologist for peace of mind concerning that area.
If you live in the UK, is an informative website which also has a helpline where it may be helpful to speak to someone about your concerns.
Warmest wishes- calla lily x
Hi Lyndsey.
This has happened to my daughter on a few ocassions, when she was a toddler and I understand the worry you feel that something may be wrong.
It tended to be when she was off colour and perhaps a little cold, but it never lasted more than a few minutes (especially once we'd had a big cuddle to warm her up!) My daughter is now 7, and it hasn't happened at all in the last few years - she is, as she always was, active, happy and healthy.
The chances are that the doctor is right; it is nothing to worry about and your son may just grow out of it. However, you know your child and, if you have any concerns at all about his health, then for your own peace of mind get him checked again: Is it possible to discuss your worries with another doctor or your health visitor? It may help just by chatting to them, as they may have had wider experience of this in their professional life that could ease your worry.
Just to back up what's been said above - have it checked out, but maybe there is no need to worry. My sister had circulation problems, and as a little one often had blue lips - but she's a hearty and healthy adult now.
Sharon
Yes get her checked out by a specialist. May be an idea to take a photo of her face when she has blue lips.
Does she faint at all?.
Does her face have a tinge of blue as well?. Also her nails?.
Ive worked in paed ITU and have seen cardiac patients.
Insist on a appointment with a specialist, if your GP rambles on and says no. Next time take her to A&E they will do a ECG (heart Tracing) and this may put your mind at rest.
thank-you all, it hasnt happend again since, although i am still worried, he see's an asthma nurse once a week, i am going to take your advice and ask her to refer him to a specialist, i will make myself poorly with worry if i dont, thank-you all once again and if any-one knows the signs i should be looking for in the meantime please let me know.
his hands, feet or fingernails did not go blue, it was just his lips and like i said he was not gasping for breath, infact he was playing quiet happily with his brother, please keep your advice coming, it is very much apreciated.
Hi Lyndsey
Blue lips are commonly associated with asthma - not enough oxygen in the blood. If it doesn't happen all the time, I wouldn't be too worried about it. Have you tried teaching him deep breathing? It may help to get in the oxygen that he needs.
Yes, ask the nurse if they have a blood saturation monitor and if they can check that out. Its only a little cuff put round his finger. Tell her your worries.
Also a good way of deep breathing is blowing up balloons or buying him a soap bubble game. Any game that allows him to get to take deep breaths.
Lyndsey, I've just remembered this article which was in the guardian a few weeks ago - it's about children learning to play a wind instrument, and how that helps with asthma. I know you little one is quite young, but it might be something to think about.
Sharonx
My little boy is the same age and was very poorly in hospital a few weeks ago with a severe chest infection - he has also been diagnosed asthmatic. He had blue tinged lips which were a result of poor oxygen absorption. I didn't even notice until the doctor pointed out that they were purple ( I guess I thought blue was blue). We didn't believe it because he was so active, but his 02 sats were wavering between 86-88 which is really low. He was given oxygen and inhalers every hour until it began to clear up. They listened to his heart, as that was a worry, but it was fine and as a result of the asthma and chest infection.
We were told to use the inhaler if the coughing was bad to open up his airways and to increase oxygen intake in his lungs. Our GP emphasised that if you are at all worried, especially at this age if your child has a history, to take them to the doctors or a&e straight away.
I would recommend you do get it checked to be on the safe side. Perhaps mention it when he has his next outpatient appointment? I'm not sure whether this is a reassurance?
Be well.
I applaud you for asking for help. I also applaud the people who have responded with such good sense advice. People power!
Just a further thought for you. As a complementary therapist I work with children who have various conditions. When children are given repeated doses of antibiotics to help with chest or ear infections, this can also mess up their immune system by killing off the beneficial bacteria in the gut and allowing yeasts to build up.
A simple way of preventing this from happening is to keep on giving them lots of natural yoghurt and/or a very good probiotic supplement that is specifically for children. BioCare do one in powder form. However, please go to a kinesiologist and have the child tested for suitability for any supplements first.
Kinesiology is where we do muscle testing to check for intolerances and it can be done on children directly where they are old enough, or it can be done through a surrogate. It is non invasive and very safe, and the feedback is immediate.
God Bless and have a wonderful healthy Christmas
xxChristine