Right-sided lateralization of skin temperature in healthy young persons

Abstract

Purpose: Previous studies reported a peripheral immune asymmetry and lateralization ofdifferent paired organ cancers. Because of the close relationship of immune system withbody temperature, the aim of the study was to test the possible lateralization of skintemperature.Materials and Methods: Four hundred sixty three healthy subjects (325 women, 138men) with an average age of 23.62 years (SD = 8.65) participated in this study. All skintemperature measurements were done 8:00-9:00 a.m. Skin temperature was assessed forthree different points in skin: axillary, thumb and external auditory.Results: Skin temperature was statistically significantly higher on the right side of thebody than on the left side, when measured by axillary and thumb temperatures. But therewas no statistically significant difference in external auditory temperature.Conclusion: The asymmetry of skin temperature may result from the peripheral immuneasymmetry or the asymmetric lymph node distribution