Exfoliative Cytology: Effects of the Seasons

Abstract

It is well established that the various dimensions of individual corneocytes (diameter, surface area) follow constant rules. There are pronounced regional variations for different topographical sites [8] and also quite distinct changes with age [1, 5, 6], older people having much larger corneocytes than younger subjects [9]. This biological rule also holds for corneocytes from the nail plates [2]. Measurements of corneocytes removed using the Triton X-100 scrubbing technique are accurate, reproducible, and do not show greater than 3% error [7,10]. It was not known whether there might be seasonal variations in the size of corneocytes. There are pronounced seasonal differences in the weather in Munich, with an average summer temperature of 17.2 °C (July) and winter temperature of −2.4 °C (January) with relative humidity of 72% and 84% respectively.

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This work was supported by a grant from Vick International