ABSTRACT
People sense whether an object is hot or cold using sensors in their skin. The response of the sensors, when touching a solid object, is related to heat transfer by conduction. As well as feelings of sensation, this can cause pain and even damage to the skin. When human skin comes into contact with a hot surface the skin temperature rises. This causes a reaction that can vary from local vasodilation, sweating and feelings of ‘warm’ or ‘hot’ to pain sensations and burns. If the skin comes into contact with surfaces of moderate temperature, no skin damage will occur due to heat loss or gain, but vasodilation and vasoconstriction may occur leading to sensations ranging from hot through neutral to cold and associated discomfort or feelings of pleasantness. When the skin comes into contact with a cold surface, vasoconstriction, sensations of cool and cold, pain, maybe sticking if the skin is wet and skin damage due to frostbite can occur. This chapter reviews methods and data concerned with the relationship between skin contact with hot, moderate and cold surfaces and human response to the contact.
