By Bhavana KunkalikarFeb 27 2023Reviewed by Danielle Ellis, B.Sc. In a recent perspective published in Science, researchers explored microfluidic systems with a skin interface in assessing chemical exposure and health status.
Eccrine glands for sweat analysis In most cases, eccrine glands account for the highest volume of sweat loss. Eccrine glands are found in every region of the human body. The apoeccrine and apocrine glands, the other two major sweat gland types in the dermis, generate sweat with a relatively complicated and varying chemical composition.
Without the requirement for experienced staff, microfluidic patches can provide real-time, easy, cost-effective, as well as noninvasive analysis in practically any environment. Typically, these devices are designed to detect a particular or limited collection of molecules instead of the broad range of sweat components.
The rates and amounts of perspiration are determined by fundamental factors of health and hydration. Additionally, active and passive transport pathways result in various chemical constituents, including electrolytes, hormones, metabolites, proteins, medicines, nutrients, heavy metal toxins, and organic pollutants.