The disease and its complications contribute to impairment in biophysical properties of the skin, one of which is skin temperature. The purpose of this study was to examine the skin temperature of the lower legs of African Americans, using a hand-held infrared dermal thermometer. This population was selected because it presents with unique skin assessment difficulties due to dark pigmentation. Temperature was measured at 16 locations per leg. Infrared dermal thermometry may be a useful non-invasive assessment modality for use in assessing and predicting leg wounds.
Further investigation is warranted in ethnically-diverse populations.