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Cultural Considerations in Asian Patients

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Skin of Color

Abstract

Asians have different cultural backgrounds and have a large range of skin types (from skin type II to VI). Certain skin diseases have different manifestations and prevalence among Asian patients. While in the West, it is common for physicians to approach diseases by assuming they are due to external factors, degeneration of the body part/organ, or a combination of both, Asians believe the body is a whole, and each part of it is thoroughly interconnected in its health and in a diseased state. People in Asia usually believe that diet plays an important role in disease, with some diets perceived to make the disease worse, while others would improve it. It is very common for Asians to ask for specific dietary restriction as a part of their treatments when they visit their physicians. Some Asian cultural practices can leave skin marks that may be misinterpreted by unfamiliar physicians as physical abuse. To understand the sociocultural traditions and health beliefs among Asians, it is important for all physicians to be familiar with these practices; this is especially important with the changing demographics of the population in Western countries, including the United States.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, 2 Prannok Street, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand

    Chanisada Wongpraparut M.D.

  2. Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Medical Center, New Center One, 3031 W. Grand Boulevard, Suite 800, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA

    Henry W. Lim M.D.

Authors
  1. Chanisada Wongpraparut M.D.
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  2. Henry W. Lim M.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Henry W. Lim M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital, Skin of Color Center, New York, 10025, New York, USA

    Andrew F. Alexis

  2. Rush University, Department of Dermatology, Chicago, 60602, Illinois, USA

    Victoria H. Barbosa

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Wongpraparut, C., Lim, H.W. (2013). Cultural Considerations in Asian Patients. In: Alexis, A., Barbosa, V. (eds) Skin of Color. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-84929-4_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-84929-4_18

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