Facing up to the imperceptible perspiration. Modulatory influences by diabetic neuropathy, physical exercise and antiperspirant
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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

A Detailed Protocol for Perspiration Monitoring Using a Novel, Small, Wireless Device
Published on: November 24, 2016
Emmanuelle Xhauflaire-Uhoda1, Géraldine Mayeux, Pascale Quatresooz
1Laboratory of Skin Bioengineering and Imaging, Department of Dermatopathology, University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Background:
Sweating is variably altered by physical exercise, diabetic neuropathy and antiperspirants.
Methods:
Skin temperature, skin surface water loss (SSWL), the Corneometer(®) average capacitance (CMAC) and skin capacitance mapping (SCM) were measured before and after moderate physical exercise in 20 healthy subjects. The effect of 5% aluminium chloride hexahydrate (ACH) in a water solution was similarly tested. The same assessments were performed in 20 diabetic patients at rest.
Results:
Diabetic neuropathy appeared at rest as an increased (compensatory) SCM on the forearms without obvious modification on the hypohidrotic legs. On ACH sites after exercise, SCM revealed both a lowered number of active sweat glands and a lighter stratum corneum (SC) (dryness). In addition, CMAC and SSWL were decreased on ACH sites at rest and at completion of exercise.
Conclusion:
In diabetic neuropathy, the compensatory hyperhidrosis is more easily disclosed than the hypohidrosis. ACH affects both sweat excretion and the SC hydration.
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