Diagnostic potential of electrical bio-impedance for skin and oral mucosa

Abstract

Depending on the frequency range, electrical bio-impedance (EBI) spectra of skin reflect the hydration of the stratum corneum, experimental irritative and allergic reactions, skin barrier properties, and alterations due to some diseases. For oral mucosa, the degree of keratinization is an important factor. Baseline values differ while reactions are reflected in a manner similar to skin. Patterns of indices can discriminate between different types of irritative reactions, possibly discriminate irritative reactions from allergic ones as well as differentiating some diseases. The sensitivity is high, and quantification of alterations below the visual threshold are possible non-invasively.