Diffusion of liquid water through human skin

Abstract

A human foot exposed to water takes in 1–2 gm of water per hour. A small portion of this uptake is imbibed by the stratum corneum, the major portion seems to enter the system. The transfer has been observed for periods exceeding 50 hours. With increasing salinity less water is taken in until, in a 2 molar solution, transfer ceases. Stronger solutions draw water out of the skin. Similar facts are observed for hands and arms. For explanation an active process in the skin is proposed. Submitted on August 25, 1958