Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Skin Blanching Looks LikeCausesBlanching TestTreatmentWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Skin Blanching Looks Like
Causes
Blanching Test
Treatment
When to See a Provider
Blanching skin is a term used to describe skin that remains white or pale for longer than normal when pressed. This indicates that normal blood flow to a given area does not return promptly.
Skin blanching can help healthcare providers identify certain health conditions. When blanching of the fingers occurs, it could be a sign of a condition calledRaynaud’s syndrome, but there are also other reasons why blanching can happen.
This article discusses blanching, what it is, and how healthcare providers use it to diagnose certain conditions.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
What Does Blanching of the Skin Look Like?
Skin that blanches has a few characteristics:
What Are the Causes of Blanching of the Skin?
There are several reasons why blanching occurs, from simple to more complex. These include:
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How the Blanching Test Is Performed
A blanching test can be performed without any type of diagnostic tool. A healthcare provider presses the fingertips against the skin, exerting mild pressure for a short period, then quickly withdraws them, to check and see if whitening occurs.
What Is Diascopy?
Diascopy is a slightly more advanced technique to check skin blanching (compared to using the fingertips). This method of checking the blood flow to an area of the skin involves several steps, including:
Blanching and Darker SkinBlanching may be harder to see on those with darker skin. Thus, it’s vital to assess other signs that may indicate a lack of proper blood perfusion, such as the temperature and sensation of the skin.
Blanching and Darker Skin
Blanching may be harder to see on those with darker skin. Thus, it’s vital to assess other signs that may indicate a lack of proper blood perfusion, such as the temperature and sensation of the skin.
How Is Blanching of the Skin Treated?
The treatment of blanching skin will vary greatly, depending on the underlying cause. Examples of types of treatment for blanching may include:
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When to See a Healthcare Provider
There are some circumstances in which blanching of the skin is severe enough that a medical professional should be consulted. Call your healthcare provider when:
Summary
Blanching of the skin occurs when the skin remains pale for longer than normal after it has been pressed. Healthcare providers use this test to help identify certain skin conditions such as spider veins, frostbite, and Raynaud’s syndrome.
If you have blanching of the skin and the cause has not been identified, it is important to speak to your healthcare provider. Treatment depends on the underlying cause.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Lupus-specific skin disease and skin problems.University of Washington.Skin care and pressure sores.Sivakumar A, Thappa DM.Glass slide—An indispensable tool for the dermatologist.CosmoDerma.2022;2:27. doi:10.25259/CSDM_23_2022Seattle Children’s.Frostbite.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Lupus-specific skin disease and skin problems.University of Washington.Skin care and pressure sores.Sivakumar A, Thappa DM.Glass slide—An indispensable tool for the dermatologist.CosmoDerma.2022;2:27. doi:10.25259/CSDM_23_2022Seattle Children’s.Frostbite.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Lupus-specific skin disease and skin problems.University of Washington.Skin care and pressure sores.Sivakumar A, Thappa DM.Glass slide—An indispensable tool for the dermatologist.CosmoDerma.2022;2:27. doi:10.25259/CSDM_23_2022Seattle Children’s.Frostbite.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Lupus-specific skin disease and skin problems.
University of Washington.Skin care and pressure sores.
Sivakumar A, Thappa DM.Glass slide—An indispensable tool for the dermatologist.CosmoDerma.2022;2:27. doi:10.25259/CSDM_23_2022
Seattle Children’s.Frostbite.
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