Psychodermatology: mind the skin
Skin and nervous system arise from a common embryological origin: the embryonic ectoderm. This may be the reason by which the skin gives an account of our mental and emotional state through infections and injuries. This is illustrated by the fact that up to 33% of dermatologic patients have concurrent psychiatric disorders or dysfunctional psychosocial aspects. The importance of skin in the psychic function is rooted in it being an organ of communication and expression of emotions, role assumed from the first moments of life of the individual. The skin is the organ of "attachment" because the initial physical experiences in the newborn are mainly touch. These early (and first) experiences of interaction with the mother (or surrogate) established through the skin, are essential to achieve the proper organic and psychoemotional development of the individual. Since the skin is the most accessible part of the human body, it is not uncommon for many people to express through the skin, aggressive, anxious or self destructive nature impulses, thereby causing dermatological symptoms. On the other hand, people with dermatological diseases involving self image (severe acne, psoriasis) may feel depressed, embarrassed or anxious as a result of their illness