What does Nikolsky's sign indicate?

What does Nikolsky's sign indicate?

• A. Presence of bacterial infection
• B. Weakness of epithelial attachment
• C. Absence of blood flow
• D. Persistence of lesions

Answer: (B)

Nikolsky's sign is a clinical indicator of weakness in the epithelial attachment to the underlying dermis, which may suggest a variety of dermatological conditions. When gentle pressure or friction is applied to the skin, if blisters form or the skin separates easily, it indicates that the desmosomal connections between the keratinocytes are compromised. This sign is particularly associated with certain skin disorders, such as pemphigus vulgaris and toxic epidermal necrolysis, where the integrity of the skin is significantly weakened due to autoimmune processes or adverse reactions. Understanding this sign is crucial for differentiating between conditions that lead to blistering and determining the appropriate management and treatment strategies. The other options do not accurately describe Nikolsky's sign; bacterial infections may not necessarily present with this sign, absence of blood flow pertains to vascular issues, and persistence of lesions speaks to the chronicity or severity of skin changes, which is not specifically related to the mechanism of Nikolsky's sign.

Nikolsky's sign is a clinical indicator of weakness in the epithelial attachment to the underlying dermis, which may suggest a variety of dermatological conditions. When gentle pressure or friction is applied to the skin, if blisters form or the skin separates easily, it indicates that the desmosomal connections between the keratinocytes are compromised. This sign is particularly associated with certain skin disorders, such as pemphigus vulgaris and toxic epidermal necrolysis, where the integrity of the skin is significantly weakened due to autoimmune processes or adverse reactions.

Understanding this sign is crucial for differentiating between conditions that lead to blistering and determining the appropriate management and treatment strategies. The other options do not accurately describe Nikolsky's sign; bacterial infections may not necessarily present with this sign, absence of blood flow pertains to vascular issues, and persistence of lesions speaks to the chronicity or severity of skin changes, which is not specifically related to the mechanism of Nikolsky's sign.