Skin Temperature Biomarker

 

Fever Monitoring: Changes in skin temperature can be an early indicator of fever or infection. Subtle increases in skin temperature can be detected before a user even feels unwell, allowing for early intervention or medical consultation.

 

COVID-19 and Other Infections: During the COVID-19 pandemic, skin temperature monitoring gained attention as a possible early detection tool. Continuous monitoring can help identify atypical patterns that might suggest an infection.

 

Ovulation Prediction: Changes in skin temperature can help predict ovulation, as a woman’s basal body temperature typically rises slightly after ovulation. This can aid in tracking fertility and planning pregnancies.

 

Sleep Stages and Quality: Skin temperature monitoring can provide information about sleep stages and overall sleep quality. Changes in skin temperature can correlate with different sleep phases (e.g., REM or deep sleep).

 

Circadian Rhythm Understanding: Monitoring skin temperature can help understand a person’s circadian rhythm, aiding in the identification of optimal sleep and wake times.

 

Stress Detection: Elevated skin temperature can be a physiological response to stress or anxiety. 

 

Emotional Responses: Changes in skin temperature can be associated with emotional responses (like excitement or nervousness), providing insights into emotional well-being.

 

Thermal Regulation Monitoring: Monitoring skin temperature during exercise helps understand how the body is managing heat. This can be particularly important for athletes training in hot environments or performing endurance sports.

 

Chronic Conditions: For people with chronic conditions that affect temperature regulation (like hypothyroidism or menopause), continuous monitoring provides valuable data for managing symptoms. 

 

Telehealth: Skin temperature monitoring can be useful for remote health assessments. Health professionals can monitor patients’ temperature trends over time, especially for those who are elderly, vulnerable, or living in remote areas.

 

Menopause and Hormonal Changes: Wearables can help women track hormonal changes associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, providing valuable data to manage symptoms better.

 

Skin temperature monitoring in research studies or healthcare projects provides a non-invasive and continuous way to track vital health metrics. It can offer early detection of potential health issues, optimize exercise performance, enhance sleep quality, and provide personalized health insights. 

 

The following Garmin devices are able to record skin temperature: