Keep this killer at bay by knowing its sources, knowing its signs and knowing how to stay safe, says a North Dakota State University safety specialist. Headaches caused by carbon monoxide in the air result from a lack of oxygen in the blood going to the brain.
Bluish fingernails are a result of oxygen-deprived blood.
Carbon monoxide reduces the ability of the blood to carry oxygen. This blood does not have the bright red color of healthy blood but has a bluish tint which can be seen through the fingernails. The oxygen-carrying capacity of hemoglobin in the blood is reduced by carbon monoxide producing these symptoms. Carbon monoxide accumulates in the blood, and the level of can be determined by a doctor with a carboxyhemoglobin test. With furnaces and space heaters coming into use, the dangers of carbon monoxide become more common.