Heat for Healing: A Review of Infrared Thermography in Medical Diagnostics and Therapy

Infrared thermography (IRT) is an emerging noninvasive imaging modality that provides real-time, contactless assessment of skin surface temperature, reflecting underlying vascular perfusion. This narrative review explores the principles, clinical utility, advantages, limitations, and future potential of IRT in vascular diagnostics and monitoring. IRT has demonstrated diagnostic relevance across a spectrum of vascular conditions, including peripheral arterial disease, diabetic foot complications, venous insufficiency, Raynaud's phenomenon, and postoperative vascular monitoring. Its key benefits - such as radiation-free imaging, portability, and dynamic functional assessment - make it especially valuable for use in vulnerable populations and resource-limited settings. However, challenges such as environmental sensitivity, lack of standardized imaging protocols, and limited specificity necessitate further validation. With the integration of artificial intelligence and wearable technology, IRT holds significant promise as a complementary tool in modern vascular medicine.