The skin has long been recognised as the ‘organ of expression’ (Sack, 1928) and serves as the boundary between ourselves and the outside world, a ‘first point of contact’ when strangers meet us. It is also the largest organ of the body. The ways in which the skin can react to many different stimuli, both physiological (i.e. a rash caused by an external noxious substance) and psychological (an individual may blush when feeling embarrassed) highlight the complexity of the relationship between the skin, and external and internal factors. Dermatological disorders have an immediate impact on tactile communication, sexual contact and bodily interaction in particular and fear, anxiety and shame as well as sexual pleasure and excitement can be indicated visibly by growing pale, blushing and hair rising (Van Moffaert, 1992).

Unlike most internal illnesses, skin disease is often immediately visible to others and therefore people suffering from dermatological conditions may suffer social and emotional consequences.