Nikolsky's sign
Encyclopedia
Nikolsky's sign is a clinical dermatological
sign
, named after the Russian
physician Pyotr Nikolsky
(1858–1940). The sign is positive when slight rubbing of the skin results in exfoliation of the outermost layer.
Nikolsky's sign is almost always present in toxic epidermal necrolysis
and is associated with pemphigus vulgaris
. It is useful in differentiating between pemphigus vulgaris (where it is present or positive) and bullous pemphigoid
(where it is absent)
Dermatology
Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases, a unique specialty with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist takes care of diseases, in the widest sense, and some cosmetic problems of the skin, scalp, hair, and nails....
sign
Medical sign
A medical sign is an objective indication of some medical fact or characteristic that may be detected by a physician during a physical examination of a patient....
, named after the Russian
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
physician Pyotr Nikolsky
Pyotr Nikolsky
Pyotr Vasilyevich Nikolsky was a Russian dermatologist from Usman.He studied medicine at the University of Kiev, and from 1884 was an assistant to Mikhail Stukovenkov at the dermatology clinic in Kiev...
(1858–1940). The sign is positive when slight rubbing of the skin results in exfoliation of the outermost layer.
Nikolsky's sign is almost always present in toxic epidermal necrolysis
Toxic epidermal necrolysis
Toxic epidermal necrolysis is a rare, life-threatening dermatological condition that is usually induced by a reaction to medications...
and is associated with pemphigus vulgaris
Pemphigus vulgaris
Pemphigus vulgaris is a chronic blistering skin disease with skin lesions that are rarely pruritic, but which are often painful.-Pathophysiology:...
. It is useful in differentiating between pemphigus vulgaris (where it is present or positive) and bullous pemphigoid
Bullous pemphigoid
Bullous pemphigoid, also referred to as BP, is an acute or chronic autoimmune skin disease, involving the formation of blisters, more appropriately known as bullae, at the space between the skin layers epidermis and dermis.-Signs and symptoms:...
(where it is absent)
See also
- Chronic blistering skin diseases
- Asboe-Hansen signAsboe-Hansen signThe Asboe-Hansen sign refers to the extension of a blister to adjacent unblistered skin when pressure is put on the top of the bulla....
- List of cutaneous conditions