Baseline transepidermal water loss in 3 different anatomical regions in healthy and eczematous subjects.

The quantity of water lost by passive diffusion through the stratum corneum can be determined with an evaporimeter. A change in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) has been encountered in various types or skin damage, including the subclinical. Some authors have claimed that a high basal TEWL value can predict the risk of developing irritant contact dermatitis. Healthy subjects, free from past or present skin disease, voluntary and informed numbered 40. The eczematous subjects numbered 51, 12 of whom had irritant contact dermatitis, occupational in 1 case and non-occupational in 11 cases.