3. SURFACE TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENTS
3.1. POSSIBILITIES OF SURFACE TEMPERATURE MODE
The IR-thermometer Smart ThermoGraph in Surface temp mode measures infrared
(thermal) radiation from any surfaces, including the skin surface. The temperature of skin
surface is more variable than the body temperature and is generally lower than the body
temperature. The temperature of the nose, ears, hands and feet is the most variable. The
temperature of the skin of these body parts especially strongly depends on the ambient
temperature. There are no precisely defined normal values of surface temperature and so the
IR-thermometer Smart ThermoGraph is not intended for diagnostics of inflammation diseases, it
is intended only for thermomonitoring. Temperature distribution on the surface of a healthy
person is approximately symmetrical; the temperature decreases from head to fingers and toes,
it is very individual and depends on age, gender, dietary habits, physical activity, ambient
temperature, etc.
The IR-thermometer Smart ThermoGraph in Surface temp mode allows measurement of
the skin surface temperature on any area of body including inflamed areas. Inflammation
diseases of the skin and organs located near skin are accompanied by increase of surface
temperature in the area corresponding to skin surface. If you regularly measure the surface
temperature in one and the same point on an inflamed area, you can monitor temperature
changes in this area. When repeating temperature measurements in the same skin point, and
when comparing the new temperature value with the previously obtained temperature value,
you can accurately assess the dynamics of temperature changes in this point. Repeating
measurements of skin surface temperature in the point located on area of inflammation supply
you larger amounts of useful information than with observing of only body temperature.
3.2. CONDITIONS FOR MEASUREMENT OF SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF HUMAN SKIN
Before starting each temperature measurement, make sure that the following mandatory
conditions for temperature measurement are met:
Room temperature is from 20 to 26 °C;
Air conditioner and/or heater are turned off or situated far enough and are not directed at
the examined object;
An ambient temperature must be constant during a session of temperature measurements and
for different sessions (or change no more than 3-4 ºСbetween different sessions). If this
condition is not observed, the data about the dynamics of temperature in the area of interest are
not reliable.
The examined area of the body has been freed from clothes or bandages for at least 10
minutes before temperature measurement;
The person under examination is in a comfortable and relaxed position;
The examined area of the body was not touched with hands during the past 10 minutes
before temperature measurement.
Hair on the examined area should be pushed away in order not to interfere with the
measurement process.
Any perspiration must be absent on the examined area.
Remove any secrets (e.g. from nasal specs) from the measuring part IR-thermometer
Smart ThermoGraph.
It is recommended to conduct temperature measurements at the same time of the day,
preferably, in the morning before meals. Any procedures, manipulations and influences that
may affect the temperature distribution in the area of interest are not recommended before
examination, or the required time should pass after such procedures, manipulations and
effects:
at least an hour must pass after hygiene procedures, application of creams, shaving the
area of interest, prolonged pressure or other mechanical influences in the interest area
(for example, do not measure the temperature on the back, if the person was lying on it
for the long period of time before the temperature measurement);
