Psychocutaneous Diseases
Abstract Psychocutaneous diseases are commonly encountered in the practice of dermatology, and many affected individuals lack insight into their condition or refuse a psychiatric referral. With a systematic approach to…
Pruritus and Dysesthesia
Abstract Pruritus is defined as an unpleasant sensation of the skin that elicits a desire to scratch, and it represents the most common skin-related symptom. In primary skin diseases, pruritus…
Immunology
Abstract The major purpose of the immune system is to provide protection against harmful agents. This is achieved by a rapid “primitive” reaction, called the innate immune response , and…
Molecular Biology
Abstract Advances in the methods used to analyze DNA, RNA, and proteins are transforming the practice of medicine and research. Traditional methods to assess individual genes or proteins are complemented…
Cutaneous Neurophysiology
Abstract Cutaneous neurophysiology encompasses specific itch mediators and nerve fibers that transmit itch peripherally and centrally. This chapter provides an overview of fundamental mechanisms of itch, from the skin to…
Anatomy and Physiology
Abstract Most reviews of the anatomy and physiology of skin begin with detailed descriptions of cellular composition, structural proteins, and extracellular matrix (“ground substance”). Because each of these subjects, with…
Skin Development and Maintenance
Abstract This chapter focuses on key events and regulatory mechanisms that result in the morphogenesis, maintenance, and regeneration of the skin and its appendages. Understanding skin development provides essential insights…
