Skin Problems as the Language of Skin: A Dermato-linguistic Study

Abstract

Dermato-linguistics  is  a  new  emerging  concept  which  includes  combination  of  two  terms studying different  aspects  of  human  body.  Derma  relates  to  skin  and  linguistics  relates  to language  and  communication.  To  communicate  we  need  some  sort  of  language  for  which Skin  has  its  own  language.  Skin  language  is  just  like  a  sign  language  that  communicates about  our  health,  lifestyle  and  psychological  situation  but  this  language  is  not  in  form  of words  or  sentences.  Through  symptoms  like  acne,  scars,  excessive  hair  on  body,  dull  skin, wrinkles and other skin conditions skin communicates that there is something wrong with the  internal  body  and  it  is  important  to  treat  it.  Usually,  people  do  not  understand  this language  by  their  own  they  seek  help  from  dermatologist  who  can  comprehend  this  non-verbal language. Skin and language both play crucial role in our interactions with the world. Damaged   skin   makes   a   person   feel  under   confident   and   such   person   becomes   less expressive  and  starts  to  hesitate  to  interact  with  people  and  communicate  which  impacts personality  as  well  as  verbal  language.  The  purpose  of  this  study  is  to  create  awareness about skin language and help to understand how our skin communicates non-verbally and effects  our  interactions  with  others.  This  research  is  a  qualitative  study.  A  survey  was conducted  and  students  from  different  departments  were  asked  question  about  their knowledge  of  skin  language  and  its  effect  on  interaction  with  other  people.  The  results showed  that  most  of  the  people  who  are  having  any  skin  issue  are  unable  to  understand language of their own skin and sometimes they hesitate to talk about it which results lack of confidence to interact socially or even consult a doctor.