What is skin hunger?

Humans need physical touch just as much as they need food and water. “Skin hunger,” also known as “touch starvation,” is the desire for non-sexual physical human contact.

Some evidence of this comes from comfort-contact theory, pioneered by researcher and psychologist Harry Harlow during the 1960s. Harlow studied baby rhesus monkeys, separating them from their mothers and raising them in the lab. Monkeys were exposed to two surrogate mothers: one made of terrycloth that provided no food and another made of wire and wood that did provide food.

Harlow found that baby monkeys spent more time with the terrycloth mothers than with the mothers who provided food. The terrycloth mothers simulated the comforting touch of real monkey mothers.

Like monkeys, humans also crave touch and connection from other human beings. This is especially important in youth; research suggests that infants should be held for the majority of their first six months because it provides physical comfort. Kids who aren’t held or rarely touched may have reactive attachments.

Physical touch can have positive physical and psychological effects.

Effects of touch

Physical touch means different things for different people. Often, positive physical contact helps people feel like they’re not alone. A touch on the hand, back, arm or shoulder can be comforting and help people relax.

Research shows that physical touch can reduce stress levels in the brain. Stress of any kind can make mental health concerns worse, so reducing triggers and stressors through physical touch can be critical. Touch from a friend or loved one can be grounding and help reduce levels of anxiety and depression.

Cultural differences

While some cultures are more nurturing or affectionate, others are not; this can influence our perceptions about the acceptability and frequency of physical touch.

Many attitudes about touch come from childhood and upbringing. The ways parents show affection to each other and their children influence kids’ level of comfort with physical contact.

In cultures where physical affection isn’t as common, the need for touch as comfort may be viewed as shameful, rather than nurturing.

Touch requires people to be vulnerable, which may be difficult for some because they fear social rejection.

A few disclaimers

“Skin hunger” and “touch starvation” are more psychology pop culture terms, not medical symptoms or clinical diagnoses.

Not everyone may crave physical touch. It makes some people feel uncomfortable, and they may prefer not to be touched. Skin hunger is about desirability for touch, which varies person to person.

Those who don’t desire physical touch may not experience acute “skin hunger,” and this isn’t a bad thing in itself.

Satisfying skin hunger

People desiring physical contact may benefit from a handshake, hug, pat on the back—or even something like a massage, haircut or pedicure.

It’s important to understand that people have varying levels of touch preferences and needs, but a small positive touch may go a long way in providing comfort or support to a stranger, friend or loved one.

Claire Postl is a licensed professional clinical counselor at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.