The skin-brain connection and pleasant touch as supportive care for psychocutaneous disorders.

Psychodermatology is a subdiscipline of dermatology at the intersection of dermatology, psychiatry, and psychology. In dermatology clinical practice, patients may present with skin disease that affects their mental health, or skin disorders induced or worsened by psychological/psychiatric problems so there is a need for specialised education of dermatologists, as well as multidisciplinary teams, to achieve better management of these patients. Understanding the interaction between the central nervous system and the skin underlying psychocutaneous disorders could help identify alternative therapies that may improve patient well-being.

Classification of psychodermatological disorders: Proposal of a new international classification.

Introduction: Several classifications of psychodermatology disorders have been proposed, with most of them based on two to four main disorder category groups. However, there is, to date, no classification that has resulted from a consensus established by psychodermatology experts. The DSM-5-TR (Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.

Pruritus, Allergy and Autoimmunity: Paving the Way for an Integrated Understanding of Psychodermatological Diseases?

Pruritus is a key symptom in allergology and dermatology, contributing to the global and huge impact on quality of life related to skin disorders, both those which are not related to a primary dermatosis (illness) and those which are linked with primary skin lesions (disease). This is particularly evident within psychophysiological dermatoses, a group of psychodermatological diseases where there is a primary dermatosis, where psychological stress plays a role, and where pruritus may represent a major and shared symptom. The etiopathogenesis of pruritus in those disorders sheds light on the link among psychopathological features, psychological stress and the subtle interface between allergic and autoimmune mechanisms, where mast cells play a pivotal role.

Body dysmorphia in common skin diseases: results of an observational, cross-sectional multicentre study among dermatological outpatients in 17 European countries.

Background: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a common psychiatric disorder associated with high costs for healthcare systems as patients may repeatedly ask for different, often not effective, interventions. BDD symptoms are more prevalent in patients with dermatological conditions than in the general population, but there are no large sample studies comparing the prevalence of BDD symptoms between patients with dermatological conditions and healthy skin controls.

Objectives: To compare the prevalence of BDD symptoms between patients with different dermatological conditions and healthy skin controls and to describe sociodemographic, physical and psychological factors associated with BDD symptoms to identify patients who may have a particularly high chance of having this condition.

Psychodermatology in the Era of COVID-19.

The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on mental health has been reflected in different populations worldwide. It has caused significant psychopathological consequences in general population, healthcare professionals (e.g.

Classification of psychodermatological disorders.

Currently, psychodermatological disorders are classified under different criteria exhibiting several limitations, and no single universal classification system exists. Herein, we discuss previous suggested classifications in psychodermatology, highlighting their limitations, and we propose a new classification system, without redundant information and with accurate terminology, incorporating the relevance of the terms "disorder," "disease," and "illness" in psychodermatology. In this new classification, the following three groups are then suggested: "primary psychodermatological disease," to include primary dermatoses, where psychological stress, a psychological mechanism, and/or psychopathology are some of the main elements that are recognized in the etiopathogenesis (which may induce and/or worsen a primary dermatosis); "primary psychodermatological illness," to include skin symptoms, with or without secondary self-induced skin lesions (such as excoriations), without a primary dermatosis, and where psychopathology, psychological characteristics, and/or a neuropathic mechanism, where stress plays a relevant role, are key features responsible for the skin symptoms and the secondary skin lesions; and "secondary psychodermatological disorder," to include medications prescribed in dermatology with psychiatric consequences and medications prescribed in psychiatry with dermatologic consequences.

Effectiveness of Educational Practices in University Students' Knowledge about Sun Protection and Its Relation to Sunlight Exposure: An Exploratory Study in a Portuguese Higher Education Institution.

Nowadays, there is worldwide recognition that health and educational outcomes are inextricably linked. It is also recognized that health education comprises opportunities to improve health literacy, including the improvement of knowledge and the development of life skills to promote individual health. It is also known that the behavioral practices regarding sun exposure are an important risk factor for skin cancer.

Management of psychocutaneous disorders: A practical approach for dermatologists.

Psychodermatology is a growing specialty which is gaining momentum in different parts of the world. It focuses on the connection between skin and psyche. Psychocutaneous conditions are characterized by those disorders where stress is the key element in exacerbating skin conditions or flare ups of dermatoses like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

Multiple whitish papules on the posterior neck of an elderly woman.

White fibrous papulosis of the neck is a rare entity, with fewer than 50 cases described. It is a benign pathology whose main interest lies in its broad differential diagnosis, especially with pseudoxanthoma elasticum. The authors report the case of a 77-year-old woman with multiple yellow-white monomorphic papules on the posterior cervical region, with years of evolution.

Analysis of the Prevalence of Mental Disorders in Psoriasis: The Relevance of Psychiatric Assessment in Dermatology.

Background: The boundary between Dermatology and Psychiatry has increasing recognition. Psoriasis is a common psychophysiological skin disease with a major impact on patient's quality of life and a paradigmatic example of a pathology in that boundary. Studies are needed to exactly point out the prevalence of specific psychopathology and mental disorders associated with psoriasis.

UVA1 for diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis in a Fitzpatrick skin type VI patient: outcomes in the modified Rodnan skin score.

Introduction: Cutaneous sclerosis can lead to important mobility impairment. Ultraviolet (UV) A1 phototherapy may improve skin sclerosis, although most of the studies have been with Caucasian patients.

Material And Methods: A 44-year-old patient, Fitzpatrick skin type VI, was being followed up with the diagnosis of diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis.

History of Morgellons disease: the same name for different psychodermatologic diseases?

"Morgellons disease" has been a controversial topic in the history of psychodermatology. The most consensual scientific opinion is that it is a primary psychiatric disorder, particularly, a delusional disorder, although others were also pointed out. Some authors have suggested that it may correspond to a common dermatosis with secondary psychopathology.

Monitoring Indoor Air Quality for Enhanced Occupational Health.

Indoor environments are characterized by several pollutant sources. Because people spend more than 90% of their time in indoor environments, several studies have pointed out the impact of indoor air quality on the etiopathogenesis of a wide number of non-specific symptoms which characterizes the "Sick Building Syndrome", involving the skin, the upper and lower respiratory tract, the eyes and the nervous system, as well as many building related diseases. Thus, indoor air quality (IAQ) is recognized as an important factor to be controlled for the occupants' health and comfort.

The role of tonsillectomy in psoriasis treatment.

Psoriasis is a chronic and immune-mediated skin disease with a considerable negative impact on quality of life. The link between psoriasis, especially guttate psoriasis, and streptococcal infections, namely tonsillitis, has been studied for several years. Some authors have also suggested an association with other types of psoriasis, such as plaque psoriasis, which is the most common.

The concept of meaning: the key to clarify the human cognition and psychopathology.

Meaning is a concept which is discussed everywhere. Besides being a common word, it is relevant for cognitive and linguistic studies. Nevertheless, translation problems and the specific definition of similar concepts by different disciplines hamper the discussion.