A normal skin temperature at night, when measured at the wrist, typically falls between 33 and 37°C (92.3 and 98.4°F) for healthy adults.
Why is nighttime a good time to check? Because your body is generally more at rest and less influenced by external factors like activity or environmental temperature, it can provide a more accurate baseline. Keep in mind that individual variations exist, and several factors can influence skin temperature.
Factors affecting skin temperature:
- Metabolism: A faster metabolism might lead to slightly higher skin temperatures.
- Activity Level: Physical activity can temporarily increase skin temperature.
- Environmental Temperature: Hot or cold surroundings will influence your skin temperature.
- Clothing: Heavy clothing can trap heat and raise skin temperature.
- Health Conditions: Certain illnesses can affect skin temperature.
Therefore, a single reading outside the 33-37°C range doesn't necessarily indicate a problem, but consistent deviations should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
