Power of Palliation in Dermatoses

Palliative care means medical care for people suffering with some critical illness. It is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness, rather than curing the disease. The aim is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.

Skin - Mind

Skin and brain (mind) have a silent relationship. Both are of ectodermal origin. Recent studies have shown that there is a connection between neural system and dermatology, and so it plays a role in stress?related changes in human organ systems. The Interconnection between dermatology and psychiatry is being built up recently.

Dermatology often deals with autoimmune diseases and malignant conditions. This prompts dermatologists to master the arts of palliation. In India, autoimmune disorders are more prevalent than skin malignancies; however, many recent articles show a rise in cases of skin malignancies in India, due to multiple reasons, including weather changes. Hence, if not in the current scenario, but in future days, dermatologists may have to deal with the end?stage management of cutaneous malignancies in the future. These patients, along with their physical skin disease, also often suffer from depression, anxiety, and stress like post-traumatic stress. Needs of these patients and their caregivers should be recognized and palliative care should be provided.

Present day:

Skin diseases are not given much importance and are often seen to be ignored even by the patients. People living with a commonly seen skin condition like vitiligo and psoriasis, also might need palliative touch of care, while undergoing other ongoing treatments. The impact of skin conditions on a patient’s mental and emotional wellness is not being catered to correctly. Palliative cure is still unexplored even in severe dermatologic disease. For example, only a small percentage of high-risk hospitalised melanoma patients might be given palliative care.

Way Forward:

Palliative dermatology care should be considered essential for efficient and timely management of skin conditions in patients. Skin concerns in terminally ill patients should not be neglected as they might further reduce their quality of life.

Palliative dermatology should cater to both: Dermatoses in patients with terminal illness and dermatoses requiring palliative treatment.