Skin turgor refers to the skin’s elasticity. So, how do you know if you have normal skin turgor? It’s simple – pinch the skin on your arm. If it returns to its original position in a second or two, you have normal skin turgor. If the skin takes longer to return to normal, you have poor skin turgor. Rehydrating your body is the ideal treatment for this issue. In severe cases, you will have to take fluids through intravenous means. Skin turgor is a good indicator of the hydration levels in your body.
This article will discuss the symptoms and causes of poor skin turgor and how to treat it. Continue reading.
In This Article
Symptoms Of Poor Skin Turgor
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There are some key symptoms that you can look out for if you want to figure out whether you have poor skin turgor. These include:
- Skin tenting. This is when you pinch your skin, and it stays up like a tent for some time before it goes back to normal
- The skin does not spring back when pulled because it is loose.
- Dry skin.
- Nausea.
- Skin discoloration.
But what are the causes of poor skin turgor? Keep scrolling to find out!
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What Are The Causes For Poor Skin Turgor?
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Common causes of poor skin turgor include (1) (2) (3):
- Decreased fluid intake
- Dehydration
- Diarrhea
- Diabetes
- Extreme weight loss
- Fever
- Heat exhaustion (excessive sweating without enough fluid intake)
- Vomiting
- Excessive sweating
- Low blood plasma
- Old age
StyleCraze SaysEhlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a genetic condition that affects connective tissue. This can cause hyperextensibility in the skin.
All these cause poor skin turgor. But how does your doctor diagnose the skin turgor? Learn all about it in the next section.
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How To Diagnose Poor Skin Turgor
Your doctor will pinch or pull your skin (on the back of your hand or on the abdomen) and assess how long it takes to return to its natural position. This will help them determine your skin turgor.
Did You Know?If your skin is difficult to pinch up, it means you have fluid build-up in the tissues that is causing the swelling.
Do you want to improve your skin turgor? We have listed a few home remedies and over-the-counter treatment options in the following section. Read on!
Treatment Options Available For Poor Skin Turgor
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There are a few things you can do to improve your skin turgor. These include:
- Take lots of fluids.
- Consume electrolyte drinks regularly.
- Consume over-the-counter oral rehydration solutions. These solutions have specified quantities of water and salts to restore both fluids and electrolytes in your body.
- You can also hydrate yourself by eating certain foods. For example, opt for juicy fruits like melons and oranges.
- Daniel Boyer, M.D., Author at Farr Institute, adds, “If your dehydration is caused due to vomiting, your doctor may prescribe anti-emetic medication to resolve vomiting.”
- Severely dehydrated people should be treated immediately.
In the following section, we have suggested a few tips to improve your skin turgor. Keep reading!
How Can I Improve My Skin Turgor?
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Here are a few things you can do to improve your skin turgor:
- Quit smoking.
- Wear sunscreen daily.
- Exercise daily.
- Follow a healthy, balanced diet.
- Get your beauty rest.
- Use moisturizing skin care products.
- Stay hydrated.
In most cases, you can get rid of poor skin turgor with home remedies and over-the-top treatment options. However, in some extreme cases, you need to consult your doctor. Read the next section to find out more.
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When To Visit A Doctor
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Consult a doctor if you have any of the following symptoms along with poor skin turgor:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- If you pinch your skin and it stays up for a longer time than usual.It indicates severe dehydration that needs quick treatment.
- You have poor skin turgor and cannot increase your intake of fluids, for example, because of vomiting.
The Final Takeaway
Skin turgor is the skin’s ability to change shape and return to normal. It is the skin’s elastic nature. To check your skin turgor, pinch the skin between your fingers. If your skin takes time to return to normal, it means that you have poor skin turgor. It can be treated at home by drinking lots of fluids. However, it is important to consult a doctor if you have symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and fever as well.
