THE YEAR 2020 has been marked by the massive global COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 19) outbreak (Kwatra et al., 2020). As no established therapy or vaccination is available so far, the strategies of most countries and health systems focus mainly on promoting preventive measures that include quarantine and restrictions in social and professional activities with exposure to many individuals (Kwatra et al., 2020). Of course, this affects the practice of dermatology as well, since the most essential approach also in this case is to avoid and/or cancel elective and nonurgent ambulatory cases where physical presence is required, in order to minimize community transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) virus (Kwatra et al., 2020).

It is true that the majority of dermatologic patients comprise nonurgent cases-in the strict sense of non-life-threatening conditions, and it is indeed important to reduce the nonurgent physical consultations, when necessary (Kwatra et al., 2020). However, special attention must be given when communicating this approach to the affected patients so as to avoid potential misunderstandings from the latter, concerning the importance that is given to their individual skin conditions.

It is already known that the level of depression and anxiety is higher among patients with common chronic skin conditions than that in the general population (Dalgard et al., 2018). Although dermatologists are generally aware of the psychological burden that accompanies various dermatological diseases, there also are studies indicating a certain underestimation of the emotional suffering, particularly of patients with chronic skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, or chronic ulcers (Dalgard et al., 2018). Clinical depression and anxiety are often not adequately assessed in such cases, a fact that can have an unfavorable effect even in the disease course itself (Dalgard et al., 2018). Both the pandemic and the imposed measures against it, such as the isolation and social distancing, can have a negative psychological impact on the general population (Brooks et al., 2020). Under these special circumstances, a deterioration of the already affected emotional well-being of patients suffering from chronic skin conditions is certainly possible. It is therefore extremely important, when explaining the need to postpone and/or cancel visits with physical presence to such patients, to proceed with special care and consideration for their potential underlying psychological burden and to eventually suggest alternatives, such as dermatological teleconsultation, when possible. While doing so, it is also essential to keep in mind that there is often a considerable gap between a physician's perception and a patient's perception of what is truly urgent, even in cases where the reported issue of the latter has been evaluated as nonurgent by a relevant health professional (Gill & Riley, 1996).

It is imperative for skin physicians to take proactive part in the general effort to contain the pandemic by promoting the necessary cutdown measures on all nonurgent activities and by prioritizing the critical cases. On the same time, however, it should be guaranteed that all patients with chronic dermatoses remain reassured that their skin problems are being properly assessed. This is crucial in order to prevent phenomena of depression and anxiety and to protect the emotional well-being of ambulatory dermatologic patients.

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