Nikolsky sign

Nikolsky sign is a medical test used to help diagnose certain skin conditions. When gentle pressure or rubbing is applied to the skin, if the outer layer of skin easily detaches or blisters, it indicates a positive Nikolsky sign. This suggests that the skin cells are abnormally fragile due to underlying disease processes, such as pemphigus vulgaris. The test helps doctors identify whether the skin condition involves loss of cell adhesion, guiding diagnosis and treatment decisions.