Story by A. Pawlowski • SHW Research Team

Dehydration is a serious condition that can affect your health and well-being, especially during periods of extreme heat. Dehydration occurs when your body loses more water than it takes in, and it can lead to symptoms such as thirst, dry mouth, headache, fatigue, dizziness, and confusion. In severe cases, dehydration can cause low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, fainting, and even death.

One way to check if you are dehydrated is to perform a simple skin pinch test. This test measures the elasticity of your skin, which is how well it can stretch and bounce back. To do the test, you lightly pinch your skin, usually on your arm or abdomen, and then let go. If your skin bounces back quickly, it means you are well-hydrated. If your skin takes longer to return to normal or seems to stay pinched, it means you are dehydrated.

However, this test is not very accurate or reliable, because there are other factors that can affect your skin elasticity, such as age, health conditions, and medications. For example, older people tend to have less elastic skin, so their skin may take longer to bounce back even if they are not dehydrated. Also, some areas of the body may have more elastic skin than others, so the results may vary depending on where you pinch your skin.

Therefore, the skin pinch test should not be used as the only way to determine if you are dehydrated. You should also pay attention to other signs and symptoms of dehydration, such as thirst, dry mouth, headache, fatigue, dizziness, dark urine, and reduced urine output. If you think you are dehydrated, you should drink more water or fluids and seek medical attention if needed.

Dehydration can be prevented by staying hydrated throughout the day, especially when you are exposed to high temperatures or physical activity. You should drink water before you feel thirsty, and avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can dehydrate you further. You should also wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing, and avoid direct sunlight and heat sources. You should also check on your friends, family members, and pets who may be at risk of dehydration.

Dehydration is a serious condition that can affect your health and well-being, especially during periods of extreme heat. By performing a simple skin pinch test and paying attention to other signs and symptoms of dehydration, you can stay hydrated and healthy.