Understanding Skin Conditions as Biological Adaptations

In Germanic Healing Knowledge (GHK), the skin is not treated as a single organ with random pathologies, but as two distinct biological systems, each with its own embryological origin, brain control center, conflict theme, and healing pattern.

Understanding whether a skin symptom involves the epidermis or the dermis (corium skin) is essential—because the same visible symptom can have entirely different meanings depending on which layer is involved.

The Two Layers of the Skin

These layers often overlap in symptoms—but biologically, they respond to very different life experiences.

THE EPIDERMIS (Outer Skin)

Separation, Contact, and Loss of Touch

Biological Function

The epidermis is responsible for:

• Touch and sensation

• Temperature perception

• Physical contact and boundary awareness

In evolutionary terms, the epidermis helps mammals stay connected to the pack through skin-to-skin contact.

Core Conflict Theme: Separation

A separation conflict involves:

• Loss of physical contact

• Wanting contact but being unable to have it

• Wanting to separate but being unable to push away

Importantly, the psyche does not distinguish between:

• Physical separation

• Emotional separation

• Anticipated or imagined separation

Conflict-Active Phase (CA) – The “Cold” Phase

During active separation conflict:

• Microscopic ulceration of the epidermis

• Reduced blood flow → cold, pale, dry skin

• Decreased sensitivity (numbness)

• Hair loss when the scalp is involved

• Flaking, cracking, dandruff

• Memory suppression related to the person separated from

Biological purpose:
To reduce sensitivity so the organism can better tolerate loss or unwanted contact.

Healing Phase (PCL) – The “Warm” Phase

Once separation is resolved:

• Cell proliferation restores epidermis

• Swelling, redness, warmth

• Itching, burning, tingling

• Blisters or oozing

• Skin rashes and eruptions

This is when symptoms appear.
GHK considers most skin “diseases” to be healing-phase phenomena, not active pathology.

Epidermis-Related Conditions

All of the following are understood as healing phases of separation conflicts, unless otherwise noted:

• Eczema / Dermatitis

• Psoriasis (overlapping CA + healing)

• Hives (urticaria)

• Rosacea (face-related separation)

• Herpes / Cold sores

• Chickenpox, measles, rubella

• Vitiligo (deep, “brutal” separation)

• Hair loss (conflict-active phase)

• Warts (excessive or repeated healing)

• Skin tags (chronic healing with relapse)

Laterality Matters

• Right side of the body → partner-related separation (for right-handers)

• Left side → mother/child-related separation

THE DERMIS (CORIUM SKIN)

Protection, Integrity, and Being “Attacked”

Biological Function

The dermis:

• Provides physical protection

• Produces melanin (pigmentation)

• Contains sweat and sebaceous glands

• Acts as the body’s biological armor

Core Conflict Theme: Attack or Feeling Soiled

Dermal conflicts involve:

• Physical attacks (hits, injuries, surgeries)

• Verbal attacks (“cutting words”)

• Sexual violations or humiliation

• Feeling defiled, dirty, or contaminated

• Disfigurement conflicts

• Fear of contamination or disease

These conflicts are experienced as threats to bodily integrity.

Conflict-Active Phase (CA)

During active attack conflict:

• Cell proliferation in dermis

• Increased melanin production

• Thickening of the skin

• Formation of pigmented growths

Biological purpose:
To create “thicker skin” and reinforce protection.

Healing Phase (PCL)

After conflict resolution:

• Bacterial or fungal breakdown of excess tissue

• Swelling, redness, pain

• Foul-smelling discharge or pus

• Night sweats

• Softening or breakdown of growths

Dermis-Related Conditions

These involve attack or soiling conflicts, not separation:

• Melanoma (pigmented protection response)

• Boils, carbuncles, abscesses

• Acne (healing phase)

• Sebaceous cysts

• Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)

• Strong body odor during healing

• Shingles (dermis healing + epidermis involvement)

• Kaposi sarcoma (soiling + identity fear)

Pigmentation and the Dermis

Melanin production is protective, not malignant.

Pigmentation changes may reflect:

• Long-standing attack themes

• Residual adaptations

• Completed biological programs

This includes:

• Moles

• Café-au-lait spots

• Pigmented scars

• Nevi (including conjunctival nevus)

The Role of “Hanging Healing”

Chronic skin conditions occur when:

• Conflicts repeatedly reactivate

• Emotional triggers (“tracks”) persist

• The healing phase never completes

This explains why:

• Symptoms come and go

• Treatments seem to “work temporarily”

• Stress worsens skin conditions

A Different Way of Seeing Skin

From a GHK perspective, the skin is not malfunctioning.

It is:

• Remembering contact

• Responding to boundaries

• Protecting integrity

• Adapting to relational experience

Skin symptoms often soften—not through suppression—but through resolution, safety, and reconnection.

Closing Reflection

Skin does not randomly betray us.

It expresses:

Where connection was lost,
where boundaries were crossed,
and where protection was once needed.

Understanding the layer involved changes everything.