01710nas a2200313   4500000000100000008004100001260001700042653002800059653002900087653001100116653000900127653001100136653001200147653001500159653000900174653002400183653003200207653001800239653002200257653001700279653002600296100001400322700001300336245011300349300000900462490000700471520090400478022001401382       2013                            d  c2013 Jan-Feb10aComplementary Therapies10aCultural Characteristics10aFemale10aFood10aHumans10aleprosy10aLife Style10aMale10aModels, Theoretical10aPsychophysiologic Disorders10aSkin Diseases10aSkin Pigmentation10aSocial Class10aStress, Psychological1 aShenoi SD1 aPrabhu S00aRole of cultural factors in the biopsychosocial model of psychosomatic skin diseases: an Indian perspective.  a62-50 v313 a<p>Cultural factors can influence the experience and presentation of diseases, including psychosomatic diseases. Psychosomatic dermatology refers to skin diseases in which psychogenic causes, consequences, or concomitant circumstances have an essential and therapeutically important influence. Indian culture is one of the oldest and most diverse, and encompasses the various traditions and beliefs of people all over the vast Indian subcontinent. This paper discusses how cultural factors can influence the clinical course of some dermatologic problems and reviews the cultural dimension of some common skin conditions in India, including vitiligo, facial hypermelanosis, acne, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and leprosy. The paper illustrates some examples of the contributions of a patient's cultural values, beliefs, and practices to the biopsychosocial model of psychosomatic skin disorders.</p>  a1879-1131