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moregulatory response. Exposure to the sun or any other warm sur-
face will raise the surface temperature. The user needs to be aware of
these concepts and not be surprised in the event the temperature read-
ings are not as expected.
Ambient Effect on Body Surface Temperature
The cardinal rule of interpretation of skin temperature is that the same
environment will produce the same temperature if perfusion is the same.
If the environment is the same and the temperature is different, then
perfusion must be different. But body surface temperature can be
significantly influenced by the temperature of the surrounding environ-
ment as evidenced in the table.
Effect of Ambient Temperature on Skin
1
Ambient Hand Forehead
4°C 8.9°C 13.7°C
23°C 26.9°C 29.2°C
27°C 33.2°C 33.2°C
Therefore, absolute temperature readings must be interpreted in rela-
tion to the environment, and the practitioner should be careful to protect
the patient from drafts or exposure to large cold surfaces, to position
the extremities to minimize pooling, and to allow time for the surface
temperature to equilibrate to its environment.
The distribution of the temperature on the body surface is generally
bilaterally symmetric. This symmetry can form the basis for clinical
interpretation of the surface temperature data. The temperature data
from the normal or reference area can also be used to adjust for the
circadian variations and for variations in the temperature environment.
In general, it is the relative readings between the body surface tem-
peratures that is of interest.
Solving the Problems
The DermaTemp is the result of many years of active
scientific research in both the technology and clinical
requirements. The patented reflective cup on the probe
of the DermaTemp provides accuracy heretofore un-
available for clinical use. The instrument is completely
unaffected by conditions prohibiting the use of other
infrared devices. Because of its unique design, the
classical problems in producing accurate temperatures
have been solved.
14
Reflective cup
on probe tip