The skin turgor refers to the ability of the skin to maintain its tension and elasticity. It is an indicator of the body's fluid status and is often used in assessing fluid needs.
The skin turgor is most easily checked by pinching a small piece of skin at a specific location on the body, such as the back of the hand, between two fingers and quickly releasing it.
Checking the skin turgor on the back of the hand (Source: Rehbein group GmbH, 2023)
The time it takes for the skin to return to its original position provides information about skin turgor.
In a healthy adult, the skin should return to its initial position within one to two seconds. A low skin turgor can be a sign of dehydration or fluid loss, while a normal skin turgor indicates adequate fluid status in the body.