3sec
20 sec
* normal thirst or may refuse some liquids * a moist mouth and tongue * normal to slightly decreased urine output * less than 3 percent weight loss * normal heart rate, pulses, breathing, and warm extremities * capillary refill less than 2 seconds * instant recoil on skin turgor test * eyes not sunken (and/or fontanel in a baby) * increased thirst * a dry mouth and tongue * decreased urine output * 3 to 9 percent weight loss * normal to increased heart rate and pulses, normal to fast breathing, and cool extremities * capillary refill greater than 2 seconds * recoil on skin turgor test in less than 2 seconds * slightly sunken eyes (and/or fontanel in a baby) * poor drinking or may be unable to drink * a parched mouth and tongue * minimal or no urine output * greater than 9 percent weight loss * increased heart rate, weak pulses, deep breathing, and cool, mottled extremities * capillary refill that is very prolonged or minimal * recoil on skin turgor test in more than 2 seconds * deeply sunken eyes (and/or fontanel in a baby)
You assess skin turgor by pinching a part of the skin. If the skin does not return to normal position within a second it is abnormal. You describe this as +2 or + however many seconds it takes to return to normal.
Poor skin turgor is a term used by health care workers to describe someone who has lost fluid and are dehydrated. To do this, they grasp the skin on the back of the hand and see how long it takes to resume the normal position.
Skin turgor is a qualitative assessment of how well hydrated the skin is. Good skin turgor is an indicator of adequate hydration, while poor skin turgor may indicate dehydration.
Skin should be pink, warm, and have one- to two-second capillary refill. Conversely, tissue that is pale or blue, cool, with no refill or rapid refill may indicate a problem with blood flow.
skin turgor
split capillary's are little vains in your skin
Dehydration.
DefinitionSkin turgor is the skin's ability to change shape and return to normal (elasticity).Alternative NamesDoughy skin; Poor skin turgor; Good skin turgor; Decreased skin turgorConsiderationsSkin 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.Common CausesDecreased fluid intakeDehydrationDiarrheaDiabetesExtreme weight lossHeat stroke(excessive sweating without enough fluid intake)VomitingConnective tissue disorders, such as scleroderma and Ehlers-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 CareA 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.Call your health care provider ifPoor skin turgor occurs with vomiting, diarrhea, or fever.During a check of skin turgor the skin is very slow to return to normal, or the skin "tents" up. This can indicate dehydration that is severe enough to require immediate treatment.You have reduced skin turgor and are unable to increase your intake of fluids (for example, because of vomiting).What to expect at your health care provider's officeThe health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history, including:How long have you had symptoms?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 do you have (such as dry lips, decreased urine output, and decreased tearing)?Tests that may be performed:Blood chemistry(such as a chem-20)CBCUrinalysisIntravenousfluids may be necessary for severe dehydration. You may need medications to treat other conditions that affect skin turgor and elasticity.ReferencesGreenbaum L. Deficit therapy. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 54.Gorgas DL, Barry JD. Vital signs measurement. In: Roberts JR, Hedges JR, eds. Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:chap 1.
Animals with very little body fat will appear to be more dehydrated that they actually are when the skin turgor test is used.
dry skin,poor skin turgor,sunken eyeball etc..
1) "normal" connection is via capillaries. 2) Portal systems (capillary bed to vein to capillary bed) 3) A-V shunts (most are in skin and are the cause of blushing. Some are malformations.)