The cause of changes in sweating rate after ultraviolet radiation

Abstract

In a previous paper (Thomson, 1951) it has been shown that ultra-violet (u.v.) radiation causes a reduction in the total sweat loss of subjects generally irradiated and in the sweating rate of small areas of skin locally irradiated. During the course of the above investigation certain inferences were drawn as to the cause of the reduction in sweating; e.g. it was noted that a vesicular eruption (sudamina) occurred after both local and general radiation, indicating that blockage of the mouths of sweat gland ducts was at least partly responsible for this reduction.This paper reports further work carried out to elucidate the pathogenesis of the changes in sweating after radiation. METHODSIn most of the experimental work reported in this paper, a method previously described (Thomson, 1951) was used to determine quantitatively the sweating rate of small areas of skin. The ratio of sweating rates of two areas on the same person was found, and subsequently one of these areas was used as a control, while the other was submitted to various experimental procedures. For convenience the ratio of sweating rates of test to control areas was called the 'sweating ratio'. These quantitative results were verified in most experiments by the use of Minor's (1927) method. Iontophoresis was carried out by the technique of Montgomery, Holling & Friedland (1938). RESULTSSudamina or crystallina caused by radiation. Sudamina is described as an eruption in the stratum corneum of small, non-inflammatory vesicles containing sweat; the vesicles communicate directly with the sweat glands. This condition occurs in the course of many acute infectious diseases (e.g. pneumonia, or acute rheumatic fever, or in the moribund, in which cases it is of little importance and requires no treatment). The rash appears suddenly on any part of the body or face, but is most commonly found on the chest or neck.

The Interplay between Natural Selection and Susceptibility to Melanoma on Allele 374F of SLC45A2 Gene in a South European Population

“…The adaptive nature of skin pigmentation is twofold. On the one hand, it has been proposed that early humans living in Africa had a pigmented skin that conferred protection against the damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, including sunburns [2] , skin cancer [3] and/or the photolysis of folate, an essential vitamin to fetal development and male fertility [4] . On the other hand, it has also been long assumed that the settlement of human populations in regions of higher latitudes, where the intensity of incident UV radiation was lower, brought along the depigmentation of the human skin.…”

Acetylcholinesterase is regulated by exposure of ultraviolet B in skin keratinocytes: A potential inducer of cholinergic urticaria

“…[15][16][17] UV exposure causes vesicular eruption and decrease in total sweat loss. 18 Additionally, the signaling of cholinergic system is affected by UV irradiation. In mice, long-term UV exposure decreases the levels of ACh, AChE, and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), leading to behavior abnormalities and impaired learning abilities.…”

“…It also induces the photoaging of skin and damaging skin elasticity and hydration, and in severe cases, which leads to skin cancers, such as melanoma 15–17 . UV exposure causes vesicular eruption and decrease in total sweat loss 18 . Additionally, the signaling of cholinergic system is affected by UV irradiation.…”

Biological Adaptation of Man to His Environment: Heat, Cold, Altitude, and Nutrition

“…A. V. Hill (1954) noted in South Africa that white cattle suffer more from heat fatigue than black cattle. Thompson's (1951) work in Nigeria showing that sunburn in Europeans can be associated with real damage to the sweat glands; the high incidence of rodent ulcer in Queensland whites and the close association of malignant epithelial tumors with lighter-skinned people in Africa and South America (Blum, 1955) make it clear that melanin deposits are a valuable protection against ultraviolet radiation. While highly pigmented skin absorbs more ultraviolet radiation that would be injurious to underlying tissues, it is also said to absorb more heat.…”