All too often, our skin is something we take for granted until something goes wrong. Skin Care Campaign's Gwen Banford reveals why it's time we all took skin disease more seriously

Skin disease isn't something we talk about easily. We may find it embarrassing or unsightly. And it may seem trivial compared to some of the life-threatening illnesses we could develop.

Yet a recent report found the impact of skin conditions on sufferers and their carers can tear lives apart.

And it also confirmed that the chances of any of us developing skin disease is high.

One in four will suffer from a skin disease that needs medical attention at some point in our lives, while others will spend years caring for a relative whose life is changed by an illness of the skin.

Health professionals who work with skin patients know the impact on patients and their carers can be overwhelming.

Many patients view the disabling effects of skin disease as comparable to, or worse than, living with conditions such as angina, asthma and arthritis.

Skin disease sufferers can be any age, from babies to patients in their nineties.

But the pain, itching, scarring and irritation that may go with the particular condition can have a devastating effect on schooling, relationships, self-esteem and career choices as well as social, sexual and leisure activities.

One skin disease sufferer, Marian Nicholson, will be talking to visitors to the Swindon Skin Information Day about her experience of living with post-herpetic neuralgia, a painful and debilitating condition that can occur after developing shingles.

"There are nine human herpes viruses," says Marian, who is also director of the Herpes Virus Association.

"Two both cause cold sores and genital herpes, another causes whitlows on fingers, feet, knees and shoulders, another causes glandular fever and Herpes 3 is responsible for chicken pox.

"The link between them is that once you've contracted them, they can all come back.

"I developed shingles, which anyone who has had chicken pox can develop, without even realising it. But though I was lucky not to have the symptoms at the time, the virus damaged a nerve sheath as it travelled up and down, leaving permanent damage to the nerve.

"This is post-herpetic neuralgia, or PHN. The nerve constantly sends a pain message to the brain, and it goes on and on, and is extremely unpleasant."

Marian, who has had PHN for about three years, says about a quarter of a million people a year get shingles followed by PHN.

"The pain can be anywhere, though it's usually on the torso or head, and can be misdiagnosed as toothache or earache," says Marian.

"It's beastly, but it can be treated, especially if it's caught early.

"I'd urge anyone who thinks they may be suffering from PHN to seek out treatment via their GP. If you don't, and you're older, you could find that you've got it for the rest of your life."