VCP 411: Medicine Section

ELASTICITY OF SKIN

• Useful in checking hydration status.

How to perform?

• Grasp a fold of skin between your thumb and index finger rise and leave it return back to normal position.

Percentage guide

• 0-5% - skin immediately returns to normal position after tenting
• 5-8% - Slight delay (2-4 seconds) in return of the skin to normal position
• 8-10% - Obvious delay (5-10 seconds) in skin returning to normal position
• 10-12% - Skin remains tented (10-30 seconds)
• 12-15% - State of shock