What happens to the skin during signs of poor perfusion?

During signs of poor perfusion, the skin typically appears pallid and mottled. This change in coloration is a result of reduced blood flow and oxygen delivery to the skin, which can occur when the body is in shock or experiencing serious conditions such as severe dehydration, blood loss, or congestive heart failure. The skin may lose its healthy, pinkish tone and appear ashen or grey, and mottling can occur due to uneven blood flow to various areas of the body.

When assessing a person in distress, observing the skin's condition is critical for identifying poor perfusion. In healthy individuals, the skin is usually warm and well-perfused, retaining a consistent color. Therefore, signs of a distressed state will most prominently manifest as pallor and mottling due to the diminished circulation associated with those conditions.