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Auspitz' Sign

Auspitz' Sign, or Auspitz' Symptom (named after Heinrich Auspitz, 1835-1886), is simply slow, pin-point bleeding after the physical removal of a psoriasis scale, or when scaling is not present, a light scraping of psoriatic skin. Auspitz' Sign occurs because the capillaries under the epidermis are numerous and twisted, and very close to the surface. Removing a scale or scraping the skin basically rips open the very top-most capillaries, resulting in the seepage of blood from those capillaries.

Auspitz' Sign can be used as a diagnostic tool for psoriasis, with the caveat that some other diseases also produce Auspitz' Sign. The combination of inflamed, thickened skin with silvery scales and Auspitz' Sign, however, appears to be unique to psoriasis. On the other hand, a report from 1990 (Bernhard) concludes that only the minority of psoriasis patients exhibit Auspitz' Sign, meaning it's not a very good test even with other psoriasis symptoms, but this report, as far as I can tell, has been largely ignored.

Photos:

• Derm Atlas (these links open new windows):
  • Psoriasis_1_020203
  • Psoriasis_2_020203
  • Psoriasis_4_020203
• Electronic Textbook of Dermatology

• See also the Images Page

General Information:

• Aeromedical Consultation Service
• Dermatology for Medical Students
• EMedicine
• GPnotebook
• Health and Age (A.D.A.M. article)
• Introduction to Psoriasis
• OxMed.com
• Parents' Common Sense Encyclopedia
• Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris lacks Auspitz Sign
• Podiatry Encyclopedia
• School of Health Professions at the University of Southampton
• The Skeptic Tank
• Virtual Salon
• Who Named It?

Citations, Articles & Abstracts:

• "Auspitz sign is not sensitive or specific for psoriasis." Bernhard, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 1990 Jun;22(6 Pt 1):1079-81
• "Dermal psoriasis involving an oral split-skin graft. Case report." Dimitrakopoulos et al, Australian Dental Journal 1998;43:(5):321-3

Mentions of Auspitz Sign in Product Advertisements:

• The Original Neem Company
• Tetrasil®