An evaluation of Na+, C1- and pH ion-specific electrodes in the study of the electrolyte contents of epidermal transudate and sweat.

Ion-specific electrode detectors have been used to measure electrolytes in various biological fluids, including sweat. As part of a study of skin barrier function, we have used such electrodes to detect the presence of sodium, chloride and hydrogen (pH) in the transepidermal water loss. This paper describes the effects of cellophane tape stripping (of human forearm epidermis in vivo) on surface electrolyte concentrations, in parallel with observations on transepidermal water loss and galvanic skin resistance.