Entropy and enthalpy for triggering cutaneous erythema

Steven L. Jacques

Wellman Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

Joseph T. Walsh

Wellman Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

Harvard Medical School-M.I.T., Cambridge, MA, USA

The molar entropy (ΔS) and molar enthalpy (ΔH) for the denaturation event that triggers cutaneous erythema was determined to be ΔS = 190 J/(mole K) and ΔH = 146.9 × 10³ J/mole. The experiment involved placing heated water against the skin of the forearm, for a range of temperatures and exposure times. Exposing the skin to 45°C for 22 s was at the threshold for producing erythema, which was similar to the threshold for a slight degree of pain.

Keywords: Skin; erythema; thermal; entropy; enthalpy

Read More: http://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S1793545815500261