Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Knowledge of thermally induced skin injury has increased, but its pathophysiology remains unclear. Although it is assumed that local cooling may protect tissue, little is known about the impact of local heating on human skin. This study aimed to evaluate acute skin perfusion dynamics following thermal stimuli in healthy human volunteers. ⋯ Local cooling may protect damaged tissue due to increased SO2 (lower oxygen consumption). However, reduced blood flow and velocity in response to local cooling limit nutrient requirements and the transport of metabolites. Despite higher oxygen consumption of tissue at higher temperatures, both blood flow and SO2 increase. Thus, we hypothesize that not only hypothermia but also hyperthermia may provide tissue protection.