Dermatológia pre prax 1/2022

The pain in dermatology

The word pain is derived from the ancient Greek word poine = punishment. In Slavic languages, it is derived from the Indo-European root bhel- (weak, sick). The International Association for the Study of Pain states that pain is statistically the most common reason for a patient to seek medical help. Pain in dermatology is not only present in connection with wounds and scars, but is also very common in patients with inflammatory dermatoses. Pain occurs when the skin is disrupted, but can also be the result of a neuropathic stimulus, such as various forms of neuralgia. Pain is a signal of danger and it can help to localize the disease process in the differential-diagnostic area. The perception of pain is very individual. Several factors contribute to these individual differences, including genetic factors, demographic influences, and psychosocial processes. Differences between gender, age and ethnic groups are also very common.

Keywords: pain, dermatoses, inflammation, therapy