Auspitz's sign

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Auspitz's sign

Auspitz's sign (/ˈaʊspɪts/; German: [ˈaʊʃpɪts]) is a clinical dermatological sign, named after the Austrian dermatologist Heinrich Auspitz who first described it in the late 19th century.

Etymology

The term "Auspitz's sign" is derived from the surname of Heinrich Auspitz, an Austrian dermatologist who first described this clinical sign. The term was first used in medical literature in the late 19th century.

Definition

Auspitz's sign is a clinical sign characterized by pinpoint bleeding after removal or picking off of the scale in certain skin diseases, most notably psoriasis. This occurs due to the exposure of dermal papillae, which are rich in blood vessels, due to the thinning of the overlying epidermis.

Related Terms

  • Dermatology: The branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases.
  • Psoriasis: A chronic skin condition that causes cells to build up rapidly on the surface of the skin.
  • Dermal papillae: Small, nipple-like extensions (or interdigitations) of the dermis into the epidermis.
  • Epidermis: The outermost layer of the skin.

Clinical Significance

Auspitz's sign is a diagnostic feature of psoriasis, a common skin condition. The presence of Auspitz's sign can help differentiate psoriasis from other skin conditions with similar appearances, such as eczema or dermatitis. However, it is not always present in all cases of psoriasis and its absence does not rule out the diagnosis.

See Also

External links

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