Ann Dermatol.  1995 Oct;7(4):295-298. 10.5021/ad.1995.7.4.295.

Site Variation of Transepidermal Water Loss Measurement on the Normal Skin of Hands in Human Volunteers

• Eun HC
• Suh DH
• Seo KI

• KMID: 2361356
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.1995.7.4.295

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Transepidermal water loss(TEWL) measurement is widely used in monitoring the degree of skin irritation. There have been many reports of site variation of TEWL between different body sites. However, there have been no reports concerning site variation on the different parts of the hand, which is important for the evaluation of hand eczema.
OBJECTIVE
This study was done to better understand site variation of TEWL on the hands.
METHODS
TEWL measurement has been performed on the mid-forearm and seven different sites of the hands in 20 normal human volunteers using an evaporimeter.
RESULTS
A marked site variation has been observed and high values observed on most parts of the hands compared to forearms.
CONCLUSION
Site selection should be seriously considered in any kind of study concerning TEWL measurement of hands.

Keyword

Evaporimeter; Hands; Hand eczema; Site variation; Skin irritation; Transepidermal water loss

MeSH Terms

Eczema
Forearm
Hand*
Healthy Volunteers*
Humans*
Skin*
Water*
Water