Nikolsky's Sign: Causes & Reasons

Warning: Do not use in emergencies, if pregnant, if under 18, or as a substitute for a doctor’s advice or diagnosis. Learn more

Possible Causes for Nikolsky's Sign

Pemphigus

Nikolsky’s sign Nikolsky`s sign was first described by a Russian dermatologist Pyotr Vasilievich Nikolskiy. [lecturio.com]

Although clinically rare, affected skin displays "Nikolsky's Sign" which means that bullae easily extend into adjacent skin when lateral pressure is placed. [pathwaymedicine.org]

[…] and symptoms Flaccid blisters on face, scalp, upper body, and intertriginous areas Nikolsky sign – applying pressure on blister periphery extends lesion laterally Mucosal [arupconsult.com]

Pemphigus Vulgaris

Nikolsky’s sign Nikolsky`s sign was first described by a Russian dermatologist Pyotr Vasilievich Nikolskiy. [lecturio.com]

The blisters were suspected to represent the Nikolsky's sign. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

sign Treatment Conservative wound care indications for all patients, to prevent secondary bacterial infection antiseptics anesthetic nebulizers for mucosal lesions potent [step2.medbullets.com]

Pemphigus Foliaceus

Nikolsky's sign was positive. [e-ijd.org]

Piotr Nikolsky. Bullous pemphigoid forms blister between the epidermis and dermis which result in a thicker skin and are negative for Nikolsky sign. [symptoma.com]

The mucosal membranes were respected (fig 1 ), and Nikolsky’s sign was positive. Histological studies of a lesion showed splitting of the upper epidermis. [adc.bmj.com]

Pemphigus Vegetans

Nikolsky’s sign Nikolsky`s sign was first described by a Russian dermatologist Pyotr Vasilievich Nikolskiy. [lecturio.com]

They will look for an indicator of the condition called Nikolsky’s sign. [healthline.com]

Bullous Pemphigoid

Placing pressure on the bullae do not lead to their extension into underlying skin, and thus the bullae are negative for "Nikolsky Sign". [pathwaymedicine.org]

The Nikolsky sign, where upper layers of epidermis move laterally with slight pressure or rubbing of skin adjacent to a blister, is negative. [merckmanuals.com]

Skin biopsy and IgG titers Distinguishing Bullous Pemphigoid From Pemphigus Vulgaris Disorder Appearance of Lesion Oral Involvement Itching Nikolsky Sign Prognosis Bullous [merckmanuals.com]

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

sign. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Nikolsky's sign is positive in perilesional skin. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

She presented targetoid lesions affecting approximately 25-30% of her body surface, large erosions with mucosal lesions and positive Nikolsky sign. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome

[…] acute illness in which the Nikolsky's sign can be easily elicited. [ijpd.in]

The patients can also be positive for Nikolsky sign. [symptoma.com]

The erythema is followed by cleavage of the upper epidermis in a large sheets mainly in the head, neck and the flexures, with formation of bullae (Nikolsky sign). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Bullous Impetigo

sign Localization Face (most common), especially around the nose and mouth Extremities May be pruritic (especially pustules ) but is rarely painful Regional lymphadenopathy [amboss.com]

sign (sheet-like removal of epidermis with sliding pressure) Highly contagious; may occur in outbreaks ( Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2009;95:387, Euro Surveill 2009;14:19372 [pathologyoutlines.com]

The result is erythematous, tender and desquamating areas of skin, usually with a positive Nikolsky’s sign. [cirp.org]

Erythema Multiforme

[…] involvement, + Nikolsky sign) Urticaria (annular lesions) Erythema nodosum Viral exanthems Treatment Supportive care Corticosteroids if severe Treat underlying cause if identified [medbullets.com]

sign (as opposed to SJS/TEN) generally mild burning or itchiness; nontender most commonly involves palms/soles backs of hands and feet extensor aspects of forearms and legs [medbullets.com]

’s sign Febrile Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (children) Toxic epidermal necrolysis/SJS (adults) Afebrile Toxic epidermal necrolysis Negative Nikolsky’s sign Febrile [wikem.org]

Brazilian Pemphigus Foliaceus

sign). [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

[…] goo sel-va'zhem) [Portuguese, literally “wild fire”], FS An autoimmune disease that causes blistering of the skin of the head, neck or trunk, esp. when the skin is rubbed (Nikolsky's [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

Acquired Epidermolysis Bullosa

Nikolsky's sign and bulla spreading sign were positive. Minimal atrophy and pigmentary disturbances were evident on healing. Milia were absent. [ijdvl.com]

Nikolsky’s sign was positive. In addition, mucosal lesions appeared on the tongue and lips. [omicsonline.org]

The Nikolsky and Asboe-Hansen signs (see above) are positive. The crusted lesions may follow an arcuate pattern. Healing occurs without scarring. [plasticsurgerykey.com]

Epidermolysis Bullosa

sign. [en.wikipedia.org]

RDEB presents with blistering and erosions at birth with positive Nikolsky’s sign (extension of blistering or sloughing of epidermis with application of gentle pressure to [hindawi.com]

Theoretically, the blisters should demonstrate a positive Nikolsky's sign, in which the skin sloughs off from slight rubbing, but this is not always reliable. [en.wikipedia.org]

Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid

sign. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

This is known as a Nikolsky sign. A Nikolsky sign is not always present in patients with mucous membrane pemphigoid. [dentistry.uiowa.edu]

Nikolsky's sign is present in pemphigus and cicatricial pemphigoid, but not in bullous pemphigoid. [en.wikipedia.org]

Pemphigus Erythematosus

Blisters tend to form when the skin is rubbed ( Nikolsky sign ). [dermnetnz.org]

This is called a positive Nikolsky sign. A skin biopsy is often done to confirm the diagnosis. [medlineplus.gov]

Occasionally patients can become erythrodermic The Nikolsky sign is positive - this is where firm sliding pressure with a finger will cause an erosion Blisters may not be [pcds.org.uk]

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Nikolsky's sign is positive in perilesional skin. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Nikolsky sign can be positive. Mucosal surfaces are spared. [visualdx.com]

Nikolsky sign can be positive. Histology will clearly differentiate AGEP from SJS/TEN. [visualdx.com]

Extensive Burns

Abstract To investigate circulating cytokine responsiveness in major burns in association with the systemic stress response system, we tested hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis markers in extensive burn cases treated in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Nagasaki University. The HPA[…] [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Bullous Lichen Planus

sign ( Clinical Nikolsky's sign ). [4], [6], [10], [15], [17], [22] Microscopic Nikolsky's sign Microscopic Nikolsky's sign is the subclinical counterpart of Nikolsky's sign [jiaomr.in]

Bulla spread sign and Nikolsky's sign were both negative. Mucosae, nails and hair were normal. General and systemic examination did not reveal any abnormality. [ijdvl.com]

The vesicles occurred on both normal skin and the lichenified plaques with a negative Nikolsky sign. [mdedge.com]

Herlitz Disease

Disease Type of connection Junctional epidermolysis bullosa, Herlitz type Localized junctional epidermolysis bullosa, non-Herlitz type Junctional epidermolysis bullosa - pyloric atresia Epidermolysis bullosa simplex with pyloric atresia Hypoplastic amelogenesis imperfecta LOC syndrome Junctional epidermolysis bullosa inversa[…] [csbg.cnb.csic.es]

Peeling Skin Syndrome

The exam may show that the skin slips off when it is rubbed (positive Nikolsky sign). [medlineplus.gov]

The responsible toxins also cause toxic shock syndrome but skin tenderness and Nikolsky's sign are not classic features. [patient.info]

Other symptoms may include the following: Red, painful areas Blistering Fever Chills Weakness Fluid loss Top layer of skin slips off with rubbing (Nikolsky's sign) In newborns [texaschildrens.org]

Hydroa Vacciniforme-Like Lymphoma

The blisters were Nikolsky’s sign, filled with clear yellow-colored fluid. Once the blisters were ruptured, there leaved depressed cicatrix. [diagnosticpathology.biomedcentral.com]

Linear IgA Dermatosis

Nikolsky sign was negative. Mucosal examination findings were normal. [jamanetwork.com]

sign Negative, though may be positive when pustules are confluent Positive 8, 27 Pathology Subepidermal blistering with predominantly neutrophilic and eosinophilic dermal [jaoa.org]

It should be continued until there is cessation of new bullae formation and Nikolsky's sign can no longer be elicited. [aafp.org]

Peritoneal Adhesion

Nikolsky's sign can appear on perilesional skin or, in some cases, even on healthy skin. [orpha.net]

They will look for an indicator of the condition called Nikolsky’s sign. [healthline.com]

A positive Nikolsky’s sign is when your skin shears off easily when the surface is wiped sideways with a cotton swab or a finger. [healthline.com]

Benign Familial Pemphigus

They had a peripheral scale, and Nikolsky's sign was positive. The lesions healed without scarring, but residual hyperpigmentation was observed. [jamanetwork.com]

sign may be positive 1/3 of cases are sporadic Healing accompanied by hyperpigmentation, but scarring is rare Longitudinal leukonychia (asymptomatic white longitudinal bands [pathologyoutlines.com]

Lesions are positive for Nikolsky’s sign (lateral pressure of unblistered skin at the periphery of active lesions causes the epidermis to shear off) and for Asboe Hansen’s [dermnet.com]

Peeling Skin Syndrome Type 3

The exam may show that the skin slips off when it is rubbed (positive Nikolsky sign). [medlineplus.gov]

The responsible toxins also cause toxic shock syndrome but skin tenderness and Nikolsky's sign are not classic features. [patient.info]

Nikolsky sign is positive (ie gentle strokes result in exfoliation ) Other symptoms may include tender and painful areas around the infection site, weakness, and dehydration [dermnetnz.org]

Peeling Skin Syndrome Type 1

Nikolsky’s sign was present. The circumcised area was red, edematous, and exuding yellow pus (Fig 1). [cirp.org]

+ Nikolsky’s sign Flaccid bullae easily rupture leaving red, moist erosions. Desquamation will heal without scarring. Mucous membranes are NOT involved with SSSS. [pedemmorsels.com]

Applying slight pressure with side to side movement of a finger to the skin lesions results in displacement of the epidermis from the dermis (positive Nikolsky's sign). [atsu.edu]

Impetigo Neonatorum

The Nikolsky sign could not be elicited. The infant was afebrile. The remainder of the examination findings were normal. Bullous impetigo (BI) was diagnosed. [pediatricsconsultantlive.com]

The result is erythematous, tender and desquamating areas of skin, usually with a positive Nikolsky’s sign. [cirp.org]

Nikolsky’s sign was negative. Healing was by coarse desquamation over a period of five or ten days. The male to female ration was 1.5:1. [cirp.org]

Drug Eruptions

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN, Lyell Syndrome): Clinical Picture (1) Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN, Lyell Syndrome): Clinical picture with positive Nikolsky sign: slight [genevadermatology.ch]

’s sign, high fever, shortness of breath and skin necrosis. [aocd.org]

[…] drug reaction (toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens Johnson syndrome, hypersensitivity syndrome, and serum sickness) such as mucous membrane erosions, blisters, a positive Nikolsky [aocd.org]

Dermatitis Vegetans

sign: elicitation of blistering by gentle mechanical pressure on the skin ( J Am Acad Dermatol 2006;54:411 ); generally signifies a superficial blistering process (i.e. pemphigus [pathologyoutlines.com]

The mov+ merit, of the epidermis over t.he dermis demon&rates the so-called Nikolsky sign (named for V. P. [kundoc.com]

The Nikolsky and Asboe-Hansen signs (see above) are positive. The crusted lesions may follow an arcuate pattern. Healing occurs without scarring. [plasticsurgerykey.com]

Plasma Cell Gingivitis

A negative Nikolsky’s sign ruled out pemphigus, other cutaneous diseases like pemphigoid, lichen planus and discoid lupus erythematosus. [casereports.in]

Nikolsky's sign was negative. A provisional diagnosis of desquamative gingivitis secondary to lichen planus was given. [jiaomr.in]

Pemphigus and lichen planus was excluded, based on the negative Nikolskys Sign, biopsy and history. [jcdr.net]

Subcorneal Pustular Dermatosis

Nikolsky's sign and bulla-spread sign were negative. [e-ijd.org]

Nikolsky sign was negative. A skin biopsy revealed histological features of SCPD. Routine laboratory tests on blood and urine were normal. [ijdvl.com]

The Nikolsky sign often is present [5]. The skin lesions may remain localized or may join to cover large areas of skin. [pemphigus.org]