Psychological and Behavioral Factors in Dermatitis

Abstract

Dermatitis and eczema are described in terms of physiological, psychological, and behavioral characteristics in the sparse psychological literature on this phenomenon. Knowledge is quite limited. Lacking are prospective studies that might demonstrate whether the psychological and behavioral characteristics ate etiological and not merely descriptive. Given the number of persons estimated to experience symptoms of dermatitis (7 to 24 per 1000), further research is warranted on the relationship among dermatitis, scratching, and the psychological factors of stress, aggression, hostility, or other moods. Methodological suggestions and an experimental design are proposed.