Normative surface skin temperature changes due to blood redistribution: A prospective study. (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shilco, Phillip; Roitblat, Yulia; Buchris, Noa; Hanai, Jacob; Cohensedgh, Sabrina; Frig-Levinson, Eden; Burger, Jacob; Shterenshis, Michael
• Is Part Of: Journal of thermal biology. Volume 80(2019)
• Page Start: 82
• Page End: 88
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: Skin temperature -- Blood redistribution -- Infrared thermography -- Screening; Thermobiology -- Periodicals; Temperature -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Thermobiologie -- Périodiques; Thermobiology; Periodicals; 571.46
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2019.01.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4565

Abstract

Abstract: The continuing development and manufacture of infrared devices, together with improvements in thermal body mapping techniques have simplified surface skin thermography which is being used more extensively than ever before. Normative thermography data, however, remains incomplete. A normative blood redistribution range of skin temperatures was established for use as a reference for laboratory infrared thermography (IT), thermal body mapping, and mass fever screenings. 500 healthy volunteers participated in this prospective study. To determine the maximum range of the skin temperature changes due to the posture-related physiological blood redistribution, the volunteers were asked to keep one extremity up and another extremity down whilst lying, sitting, and standing. We obtained 6000 hand and 400 foot temperature readings. The normal temperature was 29.1 ± 0.6 °C for the middle fingers and 27.8 ± 0.7 °C for the toes. The physiological temperature change during body position changes ranged from 4 to 6 °C (fingers: 27–31 °C; toes: 26–32 °C). At normal room temperature, the surface skin temperature may vary within this range due to blood redistribution. These changes reflect the individual variability of vasomotor activity. This physiological range of temperatures should be taken into account during IT and other thermography-involved investigations. Highlights: Surface skin temperature of various body regions do not have fixed values. The values change within a range of 4–5 °C as a result of blood redistribution patterns. For the hands, skin temperature changes from 26–27 °C to 31–32 °C are physiological. This Blood Redistribution Temperature scale is specific for each individual. The physiological range of skin temperatures should be used during IT investigations.