Minor test

Minor test
Minor test
Purpose	for testing sudomotor function

The Minor test (also known as Minor's test, the starch–iodine test, and the iodine–starch test), described by Victor Minor in 1928,^[1] is a qualitative medical test that is used to evaluate sudomotor function (perspiration or sweating).^[2]

Method

Tincture of iodine is applied to the skin and allowed to air-dry. After drying, the area is dusted with cornstarch or potato flour. Sweating is then encouraged by increased room temperature, exercise, use of a sauna, or pilocarpine.^[2]

When sweat reaches the surface of the skin, the starch and iodine combine, causing a drastic color change (yellow to dark blue), allowing sweat production to be easily seen.^[2]

Some have reported higher sensitivity and fewer drawbacks marking dry skin with water-erasable ink and observing fading.^[3]

Uses

The Minor test can be used as a diagnostic tool to evaluate underactive (hypohidrosis)^[4] and overactive (hyperhidrosis) sweating. This test can also reveal Horner's syndrome.^[2]

References

^ Minor, Victor (1928). "Ein neues Verfahren zu der klinischen Untersuchung der Schweißabsonderung". Deutsche Zeitschrift für Nervenheilkunde. 101: 302–308. doi:10.1007/BF01652699. S2CID 9226674.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Sriraam, Laya Manasa; Sundaram, Raja; Ramalingam, Ravi; Ramalingam, K. K. (June 2015). "Minor's Test: Objective Demonstration of Horner's Syndrome". Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery. 67 (2): 190–192. doi:10.1007/s12070-015-0852-5. ISSN 2231-3796. PMC 4460096. PMID 26075177.
^ Uhara, Hisashi; Nakamura, Kenta; Mikoshiba, Yasutomo; Miyake, Tomomi; Okuyama, Ryuhei (November 1, 2011). "Sweat Test with Water-erasable Ink, Letters to the Editor" (PDF). Acta Dermato-Venereologica. 92 (4). Medical Journals/Acta D-V: 432–433. doi:10.2340/00015555-1300. PMID 22278410. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-06-17.
^ Chia, K. Y.; Tey, H. L. (2012). "Approach to hypohidrosis". Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 27 (7): 799–804. doi:10.1111/jdv.12014. PMID 23094789. S2CID 206038609.

Notes

Surgical Treatment of Axillary Hyperhidrosis~workup at eMedicine
MedlinePlus Encyclopedia: Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)

[1] Minor, Victor (1928). "Ein neues Verfahren zu der klinischen Untersuchung der Schweißabsonderung". Deutsche Zeitschrift für Nervenheilkunde. 101: 302–308. doi:10.1007/BF01652699. S2CID 9226674.

[Sriraam2015-2] Sriraam, Laya Manasa; Sundaram, Raja; Ramalingam, Ravi; Ramalingam, K. K. (June 2015). "Minor's Test: Objective Demonstration of Horner's Syndrome". Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery. 67 (2): 190–192. doi:10.1007/s12070-015-0852-5. ISSN 2231-3796. PMC 4460096. PMID 26075177.

[3] Uhara, Hisashi; Nakamura, Kenta; Mikoshiba, Yasutomo; Miyake, Tomomi; Okuyama, Ryuhei (November 1, 2011). "Sweat Test with Water-erasable Ink, Letters to the Editor" (PDF). Acta Dermato-Venereologica. 92 (4). Medical Journals/Acta D-V: 432–433. doi:10.2340/00015555-1300. PMID 22278410. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-06-17.

[AHYPO-4] Chia, K. Y.; Tey, H. L. (2012). "Approach to hypohidrosis". Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 27 (7): 799–804. doi:10.1111/jdv.12014. PMID 23094789. S2CID 206038609.

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