title: The effect of hydration on the risk of friction blister formation on the heel of the foot.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Friction blister research has focused on prevention and treatment approaches rather than exploring the pathophysiology of the friction blister. Increased skin hydration has been purported to be a key risk factor in friction blister development. This study aimed to test the effect of increased skin surface hydration on the risk of friction blister creation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The skin on one foot was hydrated by soaking the foot in water. Intermittent loading was carried out until an observable change of 3°C was evident using infrared thermography. The contra lateral foot acted as a control. Skin hydration and elasticity was measured using electrical capacitance and negative pressure respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rate of temperature change of the hydrated group was significantly greater than that of the non-hydrated foot group (P = 0.001) and showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.520) with skin surface hydration. Weak negative correlations were seen between skin elasticity and rate of temperature change in response to load application (r = -0.166) and skin surface hydration and elasticity at baseline (r = -0.195).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In controlled experimental conditions increased skin surface hydration increases the rate of temperature change of the skin in response to load application and consequently increases the risk of blister creation.
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, Centre for Health Sciences Research, University of Salford, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kirkham
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nester
authors.forename: Farina
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hashmi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001768:Blister / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism*; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017276:Friction; D006365:Heel / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012869:Skin Absorption; D012881:Skin Temperature; D013499:Surface Properties; D014867:Water / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014867:Water
keywords: blister; elasticity; foot; friction; hydration; inflammation; thermography