Method Of Exam

• Skin exam is not separate from the rest of the physical examination

• Examine the patient in good lighting

Inspect and palpate skin for the following:

• Color: Contrast with color of mucous membrane.
• Texture
• Turgor: Lift a fold of skin and note the ease with which it moves (mobility) and the speed with which it returns into place
• Moisture
• Pigmentation
• Lesions
• Hair distribution
• Warmth: Feel with back of your hand.

Normal:  

• Color varies based on race (black, white etc) and environmental effect (tan). 
• Few moles and areas of depigmentation can be encountered. 
• Fine hair is seen over most of the skin. 
• Hair distribution varies based on sex.
• With aging 
  • Texture and turgor changes. Loss of stretch and resilience.
  • They tend to be dry.
  • Aging spots: Irregularly pigmented melanocyte loss.