Dying can be a gradual process especially for family and loved ones suffering from a terminal illness. Depending on the quality of care one gets, dying can be a peaceful process as well, a period when the body lets go of life. As death becomes imminent, some people may want to know the changes to expect in their loved ones and how to manage them to reduce pain and suffering. One particular change that is quite common among dying people occurs on the skin.
Discover our latest podcast
Dying and change in skin
Often, people’s skin colour changes in the days leading up to their last breath. This happens as blood circulation declines, causing the skin to look paler or greyer. The change in skin colour is more visible in people with lighter skin tones; their skin may look slightly blue or mottled (have different coloured patches). An article on the website of Marie Curie, a charity funder of palliative and end of life care in UK explained:
You might also notice a change in their skin. People with lighter skin tones may look slightly blue or their skin can become mottled (have different coloured blotches or patches).
Accounting for skin colour
However, these changes may be different in people with darker skin tones. The article on the Marie Curie site further explained how these changes may appear in this demographic:
On people with darker skin tones, blue can be hard to see. It may be easier to see on their lips, nose, cheeks, ears, tongue, or the inside of their mouth. Mottling is also harder to see on darker skin tones – it might look darker than normal, purple or brownish in colour.
Although common, these changes may not be experienced by everyone and could even be symptoms of other conditions.
Sources used:
Marie Curie: Signs that someone close to you might be dying
Health Direct: The physical process of dying
