BACKGROUND: Plantar foot skin exhibits unique biophysical properties that are distinct from skin on other areas of the body. This paper characterises, using non-invasive methods, the biophysical properties of foot skin in healthy and pathological states including xerosis, heel fissures, calluses and @entity4336 . METHODS: Ninety three @entity1 participated. Skin hydration, elasticity, collagen and elastin fibre organisation and surface texture was measured from @entity1411 , @entity4336 , fissured heel skin and xerotic heel skin. Previously published criteria were applied to classify the severity of each @entity272 and differences in the biophysical properties compared between each classification. RESULTS: Calluses, @entity4336 , xerotic heel skin and heel fissures had significantly lower levels of hydration; less elasticity and greater surface texture than unaffected skin sites (p   <   0.01). Some evidence was found for a positive correlation between hydration and elasticity data (r    <=   0.65) at @entity8820 sites. Significant differences in skin properties (with the exception of texture) were noted between different classifications of @entity272 . CONCLUSIONS: This study provides benchmark data for healthy and different severities of pathological foot skin. These data have applications ranging from monitoring the quality of foot skin, to measuring the efficacy of therapeutic interventions.

Characterising the biophysical properties of normal and XXXX foot skin.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['people'] @entity8820 :: ('MESH:C566153', 'Disease') :: ['hyperkeratotic'] @entity4336 :: ('381124', 'Species') :: ['corns'] @entity272 :: ('MESH:D012871', 'Disease') :: ['skin lesion'] @entity1411 :: ('MESH:D016523', 'Disease') :: ['plantar calluses']
@entity8820 :: (MESH:C566153,Disease) :: ['hyperkeratotic']
