Nikolsky sign
Nikolsky sign is a skin finding in which the top layers of the skin slip away from the lower layers when rubbed.
Considerations
The sign is more common in newborn babies and in young children under 5 years of age. It often begins in the mouth and on neck, shoulder, arm pit, and genital area. A child may be lethargic, irritable, and feverish. They may develop red painful blisters on the skin, which break easily.
Adults with disturbed kidney functions or with a weak immune system may have this sign. Your health care provider may use a pencil eraser or finger to test for Nikolsky sign. The skin is pulled to the side with a shearing pressure on the surface, or by rotating the eraser back and forth.
If the test result is positive, the very thin top layer of skin will shear off, leaving skin pink and moist, and usually very tender.
A positive result is usually a sign of a blistering skin condition. People with a positive sign have loose skin that slips free from the underlying layers when rubbed.
Causes
The Nikolsky sign can be often found in people with:
- Autoimmune blistering conditions such as pemphigus vulgaris
Pemphigus vulgaris
Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune disorder of the skin. It involves blistering and sores (erosions) of the skin and mucous membranes....
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Bacterial infections such as scalded skin syndrome
Scalded skin syndrome
Scalded skin syndrome (SSS) is a skin infection caused by staphylococcus bacteria in which the skin becomes damaged and sheds.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Drug reactions such as erythema multiforme
Erythema multiforme
Erythema multiforme (EM) is an acute skin reaction that comes from an infection or another trigger. EM is a self-limiting disease. This means it us...
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When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your provider if you or your child develops painful loosening, redness, and blistering of the skin, which you do not know the cause of (for example, a skin burn).
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
The conditions associated with Nikolsky sign can be serious. Some people need to be admitted to the hospital. You will be asked about your medical history and given a physical examination.
Physical examination
During a physical examination, a health care provider checks your body to determine if you do or do not have a physical problem. A physical examinati...
Treatment will depend on the cause of the condition.
You may be given:
- Fluid and antibiotics through a vein (intravenously)
Intravenously
Intravenous means "within a vein. " Most often it refers to giving medicines or fluids through a needle or tube inserted into a vein. This allows th...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Petroleum jelly to decrease pain
- Local wound care
Healing of the skin blisters occurs in about 1 to 2 weeks with no scarring.
References
Fitzpatrick JE, High WA, Kyle WL. Blisters and vesicles. In: Fitzpatrick JE, High WA, Kyle WL, eds. Urgent Care Dermatology: Symptom-Based Diagnosis. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 11.
Grayson W, Calonje E. Infectious diseases of the skin. In: Calonje E, Brenn T, Lazar AJ, Billings SD, eds. McKee's Pathology of the Skin. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 18.
Levin LE, Garzon MC, Lauren CT, Morel KD. Dermatology. In: Polin RA, Ditmar MF, eds. Pediatric Secrets. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 4.
Marco CA. Dermatologic presentations. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 107.
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Nikolsky sign - illustration
Nikolsky sign is a skin finding caused by a staphylococcal infection in which the superficial layers of skin slip free from the lower layers with a slight rubbing pressure. Large areas of the skin will blister and peel away leaving wet, red and painful areas.
Nikolsky sign
illustration
-
Nikolsky sign - illustration
Nikolsky sign is a skin finding caused by a staphylococcal infection in which the superficial layers of skin slip free from the lower layers with a slight rubbing pressure. Large areas of the skin will blister and peel away leaving wet, red and painful areas.
Nikolsky sign
illustration
Review Date: 2/15/2024
Reviewed By: Elika Hoss, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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