A blue tongue and lips, or cyanosis, may occur during a severe asthma attack. The skin turns blue due to a lack of oxygen reaching the blood and tissues, according to the University of Illinois Medical Center. The lungs are deprived of oxygen when airways swell, limiting the person's ability to breathe. At the point where lips and tongue become blue, an asthma attack may turn into a life-threatening situation. Treatment options are available to improve outcomes.
Ipratropium
A person with blue lips or tongue needs immediate treatment due to oxygen deprivation. MayoClinic.com reports ipratropium as one fast-acting medication for treatment of severe asthma. This short-acting bronchodilator prevents wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness and coughing by relaxing and opening the air passages to the lungs, according to MedlinePlus. Physicians often prescribe ipratropium to treat these same symptoms in patients with emphysema or chronic bronchitis.
Oral Corticosteroids
According to MayoClinic.com, oral corticosteroids treat severe asthma attacks marked by blue lips and tongue. Oral corticosteroids, also referred to as systemic steroids, have an effect on inflammation and immune responses, which is why they are used as fast-acting treatments for asthma attacks. MayoClinic.com reveals the long-term side effects associated with oral corticosteroids as cataracts, thinning bones, muscle weakness, decreased resistance to infection, high blood pressure and reduced growth in children. Short-term use of corticosteroids may cause disturbance in sleep patterns, increased appetite, weight gain and various psychological effects.
Albuterol
Inhalers containing the medication albuterol open the lungs by relaxing airway muscles. Albuterol is fast-acting to treat wheezing, difficulty breathing and chest tightness, according to MedlinePlus. Side effects of albuterol include dizziness, nervousness, headache, muscle cramps, mood changes, nose bleeds, nausea, changes to appetite and pale skin.
