What can be done to prevent the condition?

Prevention depends on the cause. Avoiding cold weather or wearing warm clothes can prevent cases due to cold exposure. A person who avoids smoking can decrease the risk of COPD, pneumonia, lung cancer, artery blockage, and heart disease. Many cases cannot be prevented.

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

Long-term effects depend on the cause of the cyanosis. If pneumonia is the cause, antibiotics may cure the infection, and there may be no long-term effects. If the cyanosis is related to an airway blockage, it may improve once the blockage is removed. If the cause is lung cancer, permanent breathing problems or death may result.

What are the risks to others?

Cyanosis itself is not contagious. But if an infection, such as pneumonia, caused the cyanosis, this infection may be contagious.