Introducción: ¿cuándo comenzó la historia de la dermatología?

Dermatology history is the story of humanity. For all species, good skin care improves survival. Primates groom each other to reduce infestation. Many animals lick wounds. For most living beings, including humans, healthy, well-functioning skin is more likely to facilitate reproduction and hence survival of genes. Caring for the skin and hair improves the appeal to a potential mate. Genital skin disorders can prevent reproduction. Since earliest times, poor wound care or untreated inflammation would increase the risk of skin infections and reduce chances of survival.

Before the development of agriculture around 12 000 years ago, humans lived in small hunter gatherer groups so had little to fear from epidemic infectious diseases. Those who know how to keep skin healthy are more able to nuture, feed and support children and so pass on knowledge of skin care to future generations. The genes and habits of those with good dermatological care in ancient times, as now, were more likely to survive. Dermatology activity, removing parasites, applying grease to dry skin and cleaning and dressing wounds and burns, must have been important roles for the Shamans and Wise Women in primitive hominid tribal groups.

With the onset of agriculture came more sedentary group living and so diseases changed. Pandemics began and have plagued humanity to this day. Bioarchaeologists provide evidence of disease and early medical activity from times before the invention of writing. Palaeodermatologists have identified changes compatible with smallpox, lice and basal cell naevus syndrome in ancient Egyptian mummies [1,2] (Figure 1.1). Possible metastatic melanoma was found in 2400-year-old pre-Colombian Inca mummies [3]. More recently, tuberculosis, leprosy and syphilis leave changes on skeletons.

Writing became essential as humans built the first cities in Africa (Egypt c.3100 BC), the Middle East (Mesopotamia c.3000 BC), India (Indus valley c.2500 BC), Europe (Crete c.1800 BC) and China (Shang c.1400 BC). Early texts were mainly for administrative or religious purposes, but medical writings soon appeared. Many of these related to skin disorders.