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Skin turgor

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Skin turgor
Skin turgor

Alternative Names    Return to top

Doughy skin; Poor skin turgor; Good skin turgor; Decreased skin turgor

Definition    Return to top

Skin turgor is an abnormality in the skin's ability to change shape and return to normal (elasticity).

Considerations    Return to top

Skin turgor is a sign commonly used by health care workers to assess the degree of fluid loss or dehydration. Fluid loss can occur from common conditions, such as diarrhea or vomiting. Infants and young children with vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased or no fluid intake can rapidly lose a significant amount of fluid. Fever speeds up this process.

To determine skin turgor, the health care provider grasps the skin on the back of the hand, lower arm, or abdomen between two fingers so that it is tented up. The skin is held for a few seconds then released.

Skin with normal turgor snaps rapidly back to its normal position. Skin with decreased turgor remains elevated and returns slowly to its normal position.

Decreased skin turgor is a late sign in dehydration. It occurs with moderate to severe dehydration. Fluid loss of 5% of the body weight is considered mild dehydration, 10% is moderate, and 15% or more is severe dehydration.

Note: Edema (a buildup of fluid in the tissues that causes swelling) causes the skin to be extremely difficult to pinch up.

Causes    Return to top

Connective tissue disorders, such as scleroderma and Ehler's-Danlos syndrome, can also affect the elasticity of the skin. This does not have to do with fluids, but is a change in the elastic properties of the skin tissue.

Home Care    Return to top

A quick check of skin turgor by pinching the skin over the back of the hand, on the abdomen, or over the front of the chest under the collarbone is a good way to check for dehydration at home.

Mild dehydration will cause the skin to be slightly slow in its return to normal. To rehydrate, drink more fluids -- particularly water.

If turgor is severe, indicating moderate or severe dehydration, see your health care provider immediately.

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

What to Expect at Your Office Visit    Return to top

The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history, including:

Tests that may be performed:

Intravenous fluids may be necessary for severe dehydration. You may need medications to treat other conditions that affect skin turgor and elasticity.

References    Return to top

Greenbaum L. Deficit Therapy. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF. Kliegman: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 54.

Gorgas DL. Vital Signs Measurement. In: Roberts JR, Hedges JR, Chanmugam AS, Chudnofsky CR. Roberts: Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2004: chap 1.

Update Date: 5/5/2008

Updated by: Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed byDavid Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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