A Basic Study on the Change of the Hand Skin Temperature by a Thermograph to General Cooling under Seasonal Conditions

• Published in: Nippon Eiseigaku Zasshi (Japanese Journal of Hygiene) Vol. 37; no. 2; pp. 542 - 548
• Main Authors: Shiomi, Shigeki, Miyashita, Kazuhisa, Kasamatsu, Takahiro, Iwata, Hirotoshi, Ichimiya, Genta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Japanese
• Published: Japan The Japanese Society for Hygiene 01.06.1982
• Subjects: Adult; Cold Temperature; Environmental Exposure; Hand - physiology; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Raynaud Disease - diagnosis; Seasons; Skin Temperature; Thermography
• ISSN: 0021-5082; 1882-6482
• DOI: 10.1265/jjh.37.542

Thermography is a new method used to diagnose peripheral circulatory disturbances caused by excessive vibration. The present study investigated the skin temperature of human hands, using a thermograph to provide cold. The subjects included nine healthy males, 23 to 31 years of age, and three patients aged 44, 54 and 64 with Raynaud's phenomenon caused by their occupational environment. Subjects were exposed to cold air, 13-15°C, for 60 minutes four times a year, i.e. in autumn (September-October), winter (January-February), spring (April-May) and summer (July-August). The results were as follows: 1) In the control group, the skin temperature of the fingertip prior to exposure was almost as high as that of the back of the hand regardless of the season, but the skin temperature of the fingertip during exposure to cold decreased more noticeably than that of the back of the hand. 2) In the control group, both skin temperatures prior to exposure were higher in summer and autumn than in winter and spring. During exposure to cold in summer and autumn, the temperatures decreased more than in winter and spring. 3) In two patients, Raynaud's attacks were provoked by exposure to cold, but only in spring. 4) The difference in skin temperature changes between the control group and the patient group suggests that it is best to measure skin temperature in winter and spring in order to evaluate the peripheral circulatory functions. Moreover, it appears possible to accurately assess skin temperature in summer or autumn by exposure to cold. In conclusion, special regard should be paid on the effects of environmental factors in every season when skin temperatures are used to evaluate peripheral circulatory disturbances caused by excessive vibration levels.