Relationship Between Skin Temperature and the Insensible Perspiration of the Human Skin*

Vol. 47, No. 4 Primed in U.S.A.

THE JOUBNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY

Copyright

1986 by The Williams & Wilkins Co.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SKIN TEMPERATURE AND THE INSENSIBLE PERSPIRATION OF THE HUMAN SKIN* F. A. J. THIELE, DRS. AND K. G. VAN SENDEN, Da.

In recent years a number of methods have Thermistors (No. 408) or a Thermistanli glassembedded thermistor are used. The ambient

been developed for the quantitative determination of the water loss (insensible perspiration) of the human skin (1). The results of measurements carried out in a large number of test subjects, both men and

women, under different climatic conditions,

temperature is determined with a Yellow Springs Thermistor (No. 405).

By using thermistors the temperature measure-

ments are converted to electric measurements, which are likewise registered on a Kipp BD2 recorder. From these recordings and with suitable calibration curves, the temperature curves are

show wide variations: 3 to 25 .g H0 cm2 plotted. min1 on the forearm and 30 to 150 g H,O cm2.min1 on the palm of the hand. These experimental data suggest that external factors

EXPERIMENTAL

Measuring area The volar side of the forearm is divided into 5

contribute considerably to these differences. Factors responsible for these differences have

measuring areas, as shown in Fig. 1.

been investigated.

Water loss and temperature measurements are

carried out on these five areas after one hour

METHODS AND APPARATUS

acclimatization of the test subjects in the climate

Measurements were carried out in a climate room, at comfortable conditions (23° C and 50% room in which both humidity and temperature R.H.). The temperature of all measuring areas, left could be adjusted. The accuracy of a chosen as well as right, were the same (within 03° C) but and the humidity is temperature is Continuous measuring methods were chosen, to the water losses decrease with the distance from obtain a detailed picture of the processes in- the measuring area to the wrist. If the test subject stays for some hours in a volved, and to keep the influence of the measuring system on both the skin and the processes taking climate room, adjusted at 15° C and 70% R.H., the water losses at all measuring areas tend to place as constant as possible. become equal, after an initial decrease. The skin Measurement of the water loss A small metal cup is pressed lightly against the skin surface with special adhesive cotton strips. A constant stream of dry nitrogen gas is passed through this cup. The water vapor exuded by the

temperature, however, decreases as the measuring area is nearer to the wrist.

termined electrolytically with an electrolytic moisture meter (Meeco).1' By converting the determination of the amount

RESULTS

From this it follows that the site of the measurement is important. In our experimental results, the measuring areas have, therefore, always been mentioned.

skin is transferred by the carrier gas, and de-

of water to an electric measurement, registration on a Kipp BD2 recorde4 is possible. From these recordings the water loss curves have been plotted.

Temperature measurements Yellow Springs Thermistors (No. 402 or 421) are mounted inside the cups in such a way that a constant contact pressure of the thermistor head

Measurement on one forearm Fig. 2 shows the course of the water loss and the skin temperatures with time at measuring area 3 of a test subject in the climate room, in comfortable conditions.

Covering the forearm with a towel, baring this forearm, fanning air at room or higher temperatures over the upper arm or the palm

on the skin is ensured (2). For measuring skin

temperatures outside the cups, the Yellow Springs of the hand—that is not at the actual site of the measurement—or cooling by lowering the Received for publication December 15, 1965.

* From the Unilever Research Laboratory, temperature in the climate room are rapidly followed by a change in skin temperature. A t Manufacturers Engineering and Equipment change in the water loss follows about 30 seconds

Vlaardingen, The Netherlands.

Corp. Warrington, Penna. (U.S.A.)

after a change in skin temperature has been

t Kipp, N. V. Delft (The Netherlands)

§ Yellow Springs Instrument Co. Yellow Springs, Ohio (U. S. A.)

¶ Ferrix, Nice (France 98 Av. Saint-Lambert 307

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308

recorded. After each alteration of the external is one of the factors which determine the value conditions, both skin temperature and water of the water loss ultimately recorded. loss tend to attain equilibrium values.

Measurements on both forearms In Fig. 3 the water loss curves are given for two measuring areas on one forearm, viz, beIf simultaneous measurements at area 3 are tween measuring areas 1 and 2 as well as 3 and carried out on both forearms, and during the

4. We observe again an influence, from changes

experiment the temperature in the climate in the external conditions. Both curves run room is lowered, almost equal water loss and about parallel with a difference in water loss temperature curves are recorded. values of 2 to 3 g ll2O cm' min1. The water loss curves are given in Fig. 4, and If Fig. 2 shows that there is a relationship be- the corresponding temperature curves in Fig.

tween skin temperature and water ioss, Fig. 3 5. The curves plotted for the right forearm, are illustrates once more that the measuring site invariably somewhat higher than those for the

left one for this subject. Fig. 5 shows strikingly the fluctuating course of the skin

165 cm-

temperature. Particularly the curve of the left forearm—in which case the skin temperature was recorded immediately next to the cup on the skin—clearly demonstrates these fluctuations. It is very likely that they are caused by 0.5 cm. 3.7cm. variations in the ambient temperature. These FIG. 1. Schematic drawing of the forearm show- fluctuations occur when the temperature of the ing 5 measuring areas; measuring area (3) is the

_)

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climate room changes periodically. It should be

midpoint between wrist and elbow. WATER

WSS

SKIM TEMPERATURE ( C)

ig.cm"2.min1

/

//

33.0

I, I,I,

9.0

\\ 32.0

III,

I

I

31.0

8.0

\_.

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\

I /

7.0

/'

\\

30.0

29.0

/

28.0

6.0

27.0

'I'1

5.0

20 I a FIG.

26.0

' J.

60

80

b

C d'

100

120

10 mm.

e

2. Changes in water loss (—) and skin temperature (— — — —) at the measuring area

3 under the influence of cooling and heating [Subject A]. Forearm covered with a linen towel (a); forearm uncovered (b); fanning of the hand at a distance of 100 cm (c) and 25 cm (d); forearm and hand covered with a linen towel (e).

WATER LOSS

.tg.cm2. mn1 RIGHT FOREARM

10.0

1-2 MEASURING AREA 8.0

6.0

3-4 MEASURING AREA

4.0

20

40

60

fr*

80

100

k

c

b

a

120

140

160

180 mm.

d

Fia. 3. Changes in the water losses at two measuring areas (between measuring area 1 and 2 and between 3 and 4) under the influence of cooling [Subject B]. Forearm uncovered (a);

temperature drop in the climate room (b); fanning of the upperarm (c); fanning of the forearm (d); temperature increase in the climate room (e). WATER LOSS

ig.cm2.min1

8.0

7.0 RIGHT FOREARM

LEFT FOREARM 6.0

20

60

40

80

mm.

Fia. 4. Changes in the water losses at the measuring area 3 of the left and right forearm

under the influence of cooling [Subject A]. These curves were recorded together with those of Fig. 5. 309

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SKIN TEMPERATURE (°c)

31.0

30.0

FOREARM

29.0

28.0

LEFT FOREARM

27.0

'o.u 20

40

60

80

mm.

Fic. 5. Changes in the skin temperatures at measuring area 3 of the left and right forearm under the influence of cooling. On the right forearm the temperature was measured in the cup, on the left forearm outside the cup [Subject A]. These curves were recorded together with those of Fig. 4.

noted that these measurements were carried out on one of our most temperature-sensitive test subjects. Fig. 5 further shows that temperature

The supply of water to the extravascular tissue is effected via the vascular bed by capillary filtration (3, 4, 5). Moreover, it is well-

measurements inside or outside the cup give known that the blood flow in skin and muscle only small differences, probably also caused by is controlled by vasomotor mechAnisms (6, 7). differences in contact-pressure of the thermistors. Contraction of those blood vessels which pro-

Measurement on the palm of the hand Measurements on the palm of the hand and on the forearm give similar reaction patterns. At a skin temperature of 21° C, a water loss

vide and regulate the supply of heat to the surface of the skin will result in decreased

capifiary circulation. Through this mechanism the heat supply is decreased and skin temperature drops. However, vasoconstriction will also varying from 15 to 25 g H,O.cm2min' was reduce the known determinants of trans-capilobserved. At temperatures of ca. 32° C, how- lary fluid movement, viz., surface area and ever, values were recorded which are higher filtration pressure (6). Consequently less water is filtered through the capillary wall per than 150 tg H,0 cm' miif1. These high values are mainly caused by in- unit time. Besides, the temperature drop probably reduces the permeability of the terminal creased sweat gland activity. DISCUSSION

capillaries of the skin.

A similar relationship between temperature

From the results of our experiments it appears and permeability has been established by us for that a relationship exists between skin tempera- erythrocytes (8). ture and water loss. It seems reasonable that these effects fi-

RELATION SKIN TEMPERATURE AND INSENSIBLE WATER LOSS

311

Under constant external conditions, the

WATER LOSS

pg. cm2.min1

measurements are reproducible. Left- or right-handedness of the test subjects

120

was found to have no influence on the extent of the water loss.

In spite of the difference in anatomical

10.0

structure of the skin of the forearm and the palm of the hand (e.g. thickness of the stratum

1 -2 MEASURING AREA 8.0

corneum, sweat gland population), the decrease or increase in the water loss on the palm of the

hand was found to be proportionally equal 4.0

to that of the forearm. On both skin areas the water loss finally reaches a constant level at

ASURINGAREA

low skin temperatures. The blood flow behaves in a similar fashion (4, 9, 10, 11). Simultaneous

29

30

29

28

1°

a

b

27

26

25

c

21,

d

SKIN TEMPERATURE (°c)

Foe. 6. Relationship between water loss and

skin temperature at two measuring areas (between measuring area 1 and 2 and between 3 and 4) under the influence of cooling [Subject B]. Forearm uncovered (a); temperature drop in the climate room (b); fanning of the upper arm (c); fanning of the forearm (d).

measurements of heat loss (calorimetric) and blood flow under steady conditions (10) are in agreement with these observations.

Climatic factors determine the ultimate value of the water loss (12). SUMMARY

An investigation into the relationship between

skin temperature and water loss has indicated that a correlation exists between these paramnally influence the water loss at the skin eters. Climatic factors determine the degree surface. of the water loss. It seems justified to assume lithe ambient temperature is kept constant, that the driving force of the water loss is re-

equilibrium values for water loss and skin lated to the vascular microcirculation in the temperature are eventually reached.

The rate at which the water loss follows a

temperature change on the skin surface is

tissues, which is controlled by vasomotor mechanisms.

The reaction patterns of forearm and palm striking, lithe external conditions are suddenly of the hand are basically equal and the water altered, the temperature change does not cor- losses of all skin areas decrease or increase

respond with the increase or decrease of the water loss to be expected. It appears that this water loss does not instantly reach the level which corresponds with the skin temperature

proportionally per degree centigrade. The results of this investigation clearly show that quoting a value for the insensible water loss of the skin without denoting the skin temperpreviously recorded. ature—measured with a constant contact presFig. 6 emphasizes the relationship between sure of the thermistor head—and without inskin temperature and water loss at two dif- dicating the measuring site is inadequate. ferent measuring sites. These measurements were carried out during exposure of the subject

to low ambient temperature (15° C). The decrease in water loss during this exposure has already been shown in Fig. 3. In the measured temperature-range the points appear to be on a straight line for each of the measuring sites.

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