Minor test
Qualitative medical test for evaluation of sweating function
title: "Minor test" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["medical-tests"] description: "Qualitative medical test for evaluation of sweating function" topic_path: "general/medical-tests" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minor_test" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Qualitative medical test for evaluation of sweating function ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox diagnostic"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Minor test |
| purpose | for testing sudomotor function |
| DiseasesDB | |
| ICD10 | |
| MedlinePlus | |
| eMedicine | |
| OPS301 | |
| LOINC | |
| :: |
| name = Minor test | image = | alt = | caption = | purpose = for testing sudomotor function | pronounce = | synonyms = | reference_range = | calculator = | DiseasesDB = | ICD10 = | ICD9 = | ICDO = | MedlinePlus = | eMedicine = | MeshID = | OPS301 = | LOINC = The Minor test (also known as Minor's test, the starch–iodine test, and the iodine–starch test), described by Victor Minor in 1928, is a qualitative medical test that is used to evaluate sudomotor function (perspiration or sweating).
Method
Tincture of iodine is applied to the skin and allowed to air-dry. After drying, the area is dusted with cornstarch or potato flour. Sweating is then encouraged by increased room temperature, exercise, use of a sauna, or pilocarpine.
When sweat reaches the surface of the skin, the starch and iodine combine, causing a drastic color change (yellow to dark blue), allowing sweat production to be easily seen.
Some have reported higher sensitivity and fewer drawbacks marking dry skin with water-erasable ink and observing fading.
Uses
The Minor test can be used as a diagnostic tool to evaluate underactive (hypohidrosis) and overactive (hyperhidrosis) sweating. This test can also reveal Horner's syndrome.
References
Notes
- (excessive sweating)
References
- (1928). "Ein neues Verfahren zu der klinischen Untersuchung der Schweißabsonderung". Deutsche Zeitschrift für Nervenheilkunde.
- (June 2015). "Minor's Test: Objective Demonstration of Horner's Syndrome". Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery.
- (November 1, 2011). "Sweat Test with Water-erasable Ink, Letters to the Editor". Medical Journals/Acta D-V.
- (2012). "Approach to hypohidrosis". Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.
::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::