Pale skin occurs when the color drains from your face. It can happen when you’re frightened or shocked. When you’re scared, blood flow increases to your vital organs as part of the fight or flight response, while the blood vessels constrict (narrow) in other areas, like the surface of your skin. And when your skin gets less blood flow, your complexion turns pale.
Pale skin can be a sign that you have a shortage of normal red blood cells (anemia), which means that less oxygen is delivered to your body. This can be from a nutritional deficiency, blood loss, or a blood cancer like leukemia. Other causes of pale skin include low blood pressure or infection.
Of course, some people naturally have pale skin. It’s probably genetic and not a cause for concern.
If you have other symptoms along with pale skin—such as fatigue, unexplained weight loss, or you bruise more easily—you should call your doctor.
3. Folate deficiency
Symptoms
- Pale skin
- Fatigue
- Decreased energy
- Trouble breathing
Folate deficiency is a shortage of vitamin B9 (folate). This vitamin is needed to make red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body. Low folate levels lead to a shortage of healthy red blood cells, or anemia.
A poor diet can lead to this vitamin deficiency, as can alcoholism and some medications. Pregnant women are more likely to develop a folate deficiency because a growing fetus needs a lot of folate for development. This is why pregnant women are advised to take a daily supplement containing folic acid (a type of folate used in supplements.)
Folate deficiency can mimic other disorders like hypothyroidism or aplastic anemia, so it’s important to see a doctor right away to rule those out. If a blood test shows you’re low in folate, your doctor may recommend taking folic acid supplements.
4. Hypothyroidism
Symptoms
- Dry, pale skin
- Fatigue or weakness
- Weight gain
- Constipation
The thyroid is a gland in your neck that makes hormones to help control your body’s metabolism. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid doesn’t produce enough of these hormones. This can cause skin changes, including dryness or pale skin.
Hypothyroidism has many causes. The most common cause is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition that causes the immune system to attack the thyroid gland. Radiation therapy and certain medications (such as lithium) can also cause hypothyroidism. Some women develop the condition during or after pregnancy.
When untreated, hypothyroidism can cause complications such as heart problems and infertility. Pregnant women should see their doctor immediately if they have signs of hypothyroidism because the disease can harm the fetus.
Treatment varies depending on the underlying cause, though many people will need to take medication that contains synthetic thyroid hormones.
How is pale skin diagnosed in darker complexions?
"Sometimes pale skin isn’t noticeable in patients with darker complexions until the doctor checks inside the patient’s mouth or examines the insides of their eyelids." —Dr. Jacobsen
5. Vitiligo
Symptoms
- Pale or white patches on the skin
- Premature whitening or graying of hair
Vitiligo is when white patches develop on the skin because of a loss of color (pigment) in these areas.
It’s caused by a problem with the pigment-producing cells, called melanocytes. The body’s immune system attacks them. About 20% to 30% of people who get it have a close relative who has it. It is considered an autoimmune response and tends to occur in people with other autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s.
Vitiligo can also be caused by skin trauma, such as a severe sunburn.
Vitiligo usually appears on the hands and face first and may spread over time. Pale patches of skin may be the only symptom. Sometimes, it goes away on its own. If it doesn’t, see your doctor. Treatments such as medicated creams and light therapy may be recommended to restore skin color.
6. Blood cancers
Symptoms
- Pale skin
- Fatigue
- Bleeding or bruising easily
- Bone pain
- Enlarged lymph nodes
Pale skin can be a sign of blood cancers such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, and lymphoma. It occurs because these diseases cause problems with the production of red blood cells. So people may develop anemia, which makes them look pale.
Symptoms of blood cancers can mimic symptoms of less serious conditions, such as the flu, exhaustion, or just feeling run down. If your recovery is taking longer than expected after a flu-like illness, or if you have unusual bleeding or bruising, see your doctor.
Treatment for blood cancer may include medications, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplantation, and surgery.
7. Sepsis
Symptoms
- Pale skin
- Fever
- Fatigue and generalized weakness
- Rapid or irregular heart rate
- Shortness of breath
- Mental confusion
Sepsis is your body’s extreme response to a bacterial infection such as pneumonia or appendicitis. Skin can appear pale, particularly when sepsis is complicated by shock or severely low blood pressure. People with weakened immune systems or chronic health problems may be more likely to develop sepsis when they become ill.
Sepsis is a medical emergency and you should go to the ER. Doctors will perform tests to find the source of infection and treat you with intravenous antibiotics.
Other possible causes
Here are other conditions that can cause pale skin:
- Chronic diseases such as cystic fibrosis, heart or lung problems, or other types of cancers.
- A blocked artery in your leg (in this case you’d have pale skin only affecting that area).
- Anxiety or nervousness, though bouts of pale skin will be brief and usually improve quickly without treatment.
