Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring tissue edema. By a method in accordance with the invention an electromagnetic probe (24) is placed on the skin, and the capacitance of the probe is proportional to the dielectric constant of the skin and subcutaneous fat, which is proportional to the water content of the skin. The edema is scored by measuring the capacitance of the electromagnetic probe, so called open-ended coaxial cable, at a high frequency, approximately 20-500 MHz.

Abstract: A method for measuring the degree of evaporation of water through the skin includes placing a measurement chamber on the surface of the skin. The measurement chamber is a chamber which is open only at one side, and when placed on the skin it will become a totally closed chamber. During the measurement the vapor pressure is determined only in one point of the chamber. The degree of evaporation is determined by vapor pressure gradient in relation to time. An apparatus includes the measurement chamber open only at one side, and when placed on the skin it will become a totally closed chamber. Furthermore, there is a humidity sensor in the measurement chamber for measuring the vapor pressure in one point of the measurement chamber.