Minor test

{{Short description|Qualitative medical test for evaluation of sweating function}} {{Infobox diagnostic | name = Minor test | image = | alt = | caption = | purpose = for testing sudomotor function | pronounce = | synonyms = | reference_range = | calculator = | DiseasesDB =  | ICD10 =  | ICD9 = | ICDO = | MedlinePlus =  | eMedicine =  | MeshID = | OPS301 =  | LOINC =  }} The '''Minor test''' (also known as '''Minor's test''', the '''starch–iodine test''', and the '''iodine–starch test'''), described by Victor Minor in 1928,<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1007/BF01652699 |last1=Minor |first1=Victor |title=Ein neues Verfahren zu der klinischen Untersuchung der Schweißabsonderung |year=1928 |journal=Deutsche Zeitschrift für Nervenheilkunde |volume=101 |pages=302–308 |s2cid=9226674 }}</ref> is a qualitative medical test that is used to evaluate sudomotor function (perspiration or sweating).<ref name="Sriraam2015"/>

==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.<ref name="Sriraam2015">{{Cite journal|last1=Sriraam|first1=Laya Manasa|last2=Sundaram|first2=Raja|last3=Ramalingam|first3=Ravi|last4=Ramalingam|first4=K. K.|date=June 2015|title=Minor's Test: Objective Demonstration of Horner's Syndrome|journal=Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery|volume=67|issue=2|pages=190–192|doi=10.1007/s12070-015-0852-5|issn=2231-3796|pmc=4460096|pmid=26075177}}</ref>

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.<ref name="Sriraam2015"/>

Some have reported higher sensitivity and fewer drawbacks marking dry skin with water-erasable ink and observing fading.<ref>{{cite journal|first1=Hisashi|last1=Uhara|first2=Kenta|last2=Nakamura|first3=Yasutomo|last3=Mikoshiba|first4=Tomomi|last4=Miyake|first5=Ryuhei|last5=Okuyama|title=Sweat Test with Water-erasable Ink, Letters to the Editor|journal=Acta Dermato-Venereologica |doi=10.2340/00015555-1300 |publisher=Medical Journals/Acta D-V|date=November 1, 2011|volume=92 |issue=4 |pages=432–433 |pmid=22278410 |url=https://www.medicaljournals.se/acta/content_files/files/pdf/92/4/3633.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617061110/https://www.medicaljournals.se/acta/content_files/files/pdf/92/4/3633.pdf |archive-date=2022-06-17 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Uses== The Minor test can be used as a diagnostic tool to evaluate underactive (hypohidrosis)<ref name="AHYPO">{{cite journal |last1= Chia |first1= K. Y. |last2= Tey |first2= H. L. |doi= 10.1111/jdv.12014 |title= Approach to hypohidrosis |journal= Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology |pages= 799–804 |year= 2012 |pmid= 23094789 |volume= 27 |issue= 7|s2cid= 206038609 }}</ref> and overactive (hyperhidrosis) sweating. This test can also reveal Horner's syndrome.<ref name="Sriraam2015"/>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Notes== *{{EMedicine|article|1296530|Surgical Treatment of Axillary Hyperhidrosis|workup}} *{{MedlinePlusEncyclopedia|007259|Hyperhidrosis}} (excessive sweating)

Category:Medical tests