Characterising the biophysical properties of normal and hyperkeratotic foot skin

Hashmi, F; Nester, CJ; Wright, CRF; Newton, V; Lam, S

Abstract

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 corns.
METHODS:

Ninety three people participated. Skin hydration, elasticity, collagen and elastin fibre organisation and surface texture was measured from plantar calluses, corns, fissured heel skin and xerotic heel skin. Previously published criteria were applied to classify the severity of each skin lesion and differences in the biophysical properties compared between each classification.
RESULTS:

Calluses, corns, 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 hyperkeratotic sites. Significant differences in skin properties (with the exception of texture) were noted between different classifications of skin lesion.
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.
KEYWORDS:

Biophysical parameters; Callus; Corns; Dry skin; Heel fissures; Plantar foot skin hyperkeratosis; Quantification; Skin classification (SELs); Xerosis

Citation

Hashmi, F., Nester, C., Wright, C., Newton, V., & Lam, S. (2015). Characterising the biophysical properties of normal and hyperkeratotic foot skin. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 8(35), https://doi.org/10.1186/s13047-015-0092-7

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 19, 2015
• Publication Date: Aug 12, 2015
• Deposit Date: Aug 25, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 5, 2016
• Journal: Journal of Foot and Ankle Research
• Electronic ISSN: 1757-1146
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 35
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13047-015-0092-7
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13047-015-0092-7
• Related Public URLs: http://www.jfootankleres.com/
• Additional Information: Funders : Commercial