Pastia's lines

System: General & Eye–Ear Signs · All general & eye–ear signs

What it is — and how it is elicited

Pink or red lines that appear in the skin folds — armpits, elbows and groins — that stay darker and do not blanch like the rest of the rash.

What a positive finding suggests

Associated with scarlet fever, caused by group A streptococcal toxin.

◈ Behind the name

Leon Pastia (1874–1929), Romanian physician.

Browse the P section of the A–Z list or return to the Clinical Signs hub.

Please note: This page is an educational reference about clinical examination signs. A clinical sign supports — and never replaces — a full clinical evaluation, examination and appropriate testing. A sign being present does not by itself prove a diagnosis, and an absent sign does not rule one out. If you have symptoms that worry you, see a health professional.