Skin is the largest organ of the body. It acts as a defence against bacterial and viral attack, as well as providing protection from heat, cold, physical injury and ultraviolet radiation. 

The skin regulates our body temperature, detects potential harm before injury can occur, provides input to the brain regarding the physical nature of the environment, and even allows us to become sexually aroused. 

Since both the skin and the nervous system share a common ancestry, the ectoderm, it is not surprising that both stress and anxiety can adversely affect the course of any skin disorder. 

Additionally, once skin disorders develop they often produce and prolong the mental and emotional disturbances that can perpetuate symptoms (1).

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HYPNOTHERAPY FOR SKIN CONDITIONS

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Hypnotherapy has helped many people reduce the level of discomfort and other annoying symptoms. Your mind and body can be trained to work together, through hypnosis, to find relief. 

Through hypnotherapy, stress and anxiety can be reduced as well as learning specific therapeutic approaches to help your condition.

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N.B. If you have either acute or chronic skin conditions, it is essential to visit a GP or other medical professional to have a full assessment and/or diagnosis.

Hypnotherapy can work alongside medical treatment but is not a substitute. 

Hypnotherapy research has shown it can be helpful for a range of skin conditions (2). This includes:

•    Eczema (3) and the itching related to eczema (4).
•    Psoriasis (5) which also includes a couple of randomised, controlled trials supporting the use of hypnosis for treatment (6), (7)
•    Overcoming Allergic reactions  - specifically related to lessening skin sensitivity  and lessening the reactions to allergens (8), (9)
•    Warts – a study in 1988 (10) showed a 50% cure rate (number of warts gone)

If you would like to improve your appearance and reduce discomfort please do give me a call to book a session for Hypnotherapy in Bath or Salisbury.

 

References:

1. Picardi A, Porcelli P, Pasquini P, Fassone G, Mazzotti E, Lega I, Ramieri L, Sagoni E, Abeni D, Tiago A and Fava GA (2006) Integration of multiple criteria for psychosomatic assessment of dermatological patients Psychosomatics 47(2): 122-128

2. Shenefelt, P. D. (2000) Hypnosis in dermatology. Archives of dermatology, 136: 393-399.

3. Sokel, B., Christie, D., Kent, A. & Lansdown, R. (1993) A comparison of hypnotherapy and biofeedback in the treatment of childhood atopic eczema. Contemporary Hypnosis, 10: 145-154

Mirvish, I. (1978) Hypnotherapy for the child with chronic eczema. A case report. South African Medical Journal, 54: 410-412.

4. Goodman, H. P. (1962) Hypnosis in prolonged resistant eczema: a case report. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 5: 144-145.

Motoda, K (1971) A case report of the counter-conditioning treatment of an eczema patient by hypnosis. Japanese Journal of Hypnosis, 15: 46-49.

5. Kline, M. V. (1954) Psoriasis and hypnotherapy: a case report. Journal of clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 2: 318-322.

Frankel, F. H. & Misch, R. C. (1973) Hypnosis in a case of long-standing psoriasis in a person with character problems. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 50: 332-363.

6. Tausk, F. & Whitmore, S. E. (1999) A pilot study of hypnosis in the treatment of patients with psoriasis. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 68: 221-225.

7. Zacharie, R., Oster, H., Bjerring, P. & Kragballe, K. (1996) Effects of psychologic intervention on psoriasis: a preliminary report. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 34: 1008-1115.

8. Fry, L., Et al., (1964) Effects of hypnosis on allergic skin responses in asthma and hay fever. British Medical Journal, 1: 1145-1148.

9. Dennis, M. & Phillipus, M. J. (1965) Hypnotic and non-hypnotic suggestion and skin response in atopic patients. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 17: 253-258.

10. Spanos, N. P., Stenstrom, R. J. & Johnston, J. C. (1988) Hypnosis, placebo, and suggestion in the treatment of warts. Psychosomatic Medicine, 52: 109-114.