Are you one of the people who, at the end of the day, realize that they haven’t had anything to drink since the morning? Then there is a good chance that you are dehydrated. To check this, the turgor test is carried out, for example, on the skin of the hand and can easily confirm a state of dehydration. Dermatologist Marianne Meli explains precisely what this test consists of.
“The skin turgor test is performed on parts of the body where the skin is thin and there is little subcutaneous fatty tissue,” explains Dr. Meli. Simply pinch the skin between your thumb and index finger for one to two seconds, then release.
If it immediately returns to its original position, everything is fine. On the other hand, if it takes a few seconds to get back into place, there is potential dehydration. Asked if this test is reliable, Dr. Meli responds: “Absolutely, this test is a good indicator of dehydration. Skin turgor refers to the elasticity of the skin. This depends, among other things, on its hydration and therefore on the quantity of liquid consumed.
However, water consumption is not the only factor that influences skin hydration. “A disrupted skin barrier, hormonal changes and external factors such as the weather can also influence skin hydration,” explains the dermatologist.
“Added to this is the elasticity and thickness of the skin, which vary from one person to another. Consequently, a reduction in skin turgor cannot always be equated with a lack of hydration in the body,” she explains. Nonetheless, the test provides a good starting point.
The feeling of thirst generally manifests itself well before the body becomes dehydrated. As Dr. Meli explains, it is a mechanism in the body that helps prevent this dehydration. As long as you don’t get distracted and forget to drink.
“Certain situations or illnesses also reduce the feeling of thirst. Older people also experience a lesser need to drink,” says the dermatologist. So, if you have nothing better to do right now, why not drink a glass of water?
