Skin turgor

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Skin turgor

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

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!

• Poor skin turgor accompanies vomiting, diarrhea, or fever.
• A check of skin turgor results in very slow return to normal, or the skin "tents" up. This can indicate dehydration that is severe enough to require immediate treatment.
• A person with reduced skin turgor is unable to increase his or her intake of fluids (for example, because of vomiting).

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The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about the person's medical history, including:

• How long have symptoms been present?
• What other symptoms came before the change in skin turgor (vomiting, diarrhea, others)?
• What have you done to try to treat the condition?
  • Did it make it better?
  • Is it getting worse?
• What other symptoms are also present (such as dry lips, decreased urine output, and decreased tearing)?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed are:

• Blood chemistry (such as a chem-20 )
• Urinalysis
• CBC

Intravenous fluids may be necessary for severe dehydration. Medications may be necessary to treat other conditions that affect the skin turgor and elasticity.

Review Date: 05/24/2006
Reviewed By: Charlotte Grayson, MD, Private Practice specializing in Internal Medicine, Smyrna, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.