The emission of infrared radiation from human skin—implications for clinical thermography

Abstract

Some of the infrared radiation emitted from the skin will have been transmitted from the deeper tissues which are at a higher (blood) temperature than the outer surface. Thus the apparent temperature of the skin in an infrared thermograph will be raised by 1–2°C immediately over a superficial blood vessel. This can be demonstrated in practice, particularly if the skin surface is cooled. The importance of these effects are considered in detail both theoretically and in clinical thermography.