Hypnotherapy for Eczema in London
Hello, I'm Susannah. I'm a fully qualified clinical hypnotherapist with over 22 years of experience helping clients with skin-related conditions, including eczema and topical steroid withdrawal.
I have been awarded the Senior Qualification of Hypnotherapy Practice (SQHP) from the General Hypnotherapy Standards Council (GHSC) and the HPD from the National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH). If you’re looking for hypnotherapy for eczema and would like to explore how I might help, please get in touch.
Are you exhausted by constant itching and the endless cycle of flare-ups? Have you tried every cream and treatment going, only to find your eczema keeps coming back?
Hypnotherapy can be a powerful way to support people living with eczema, particularly when stress is playing a role.
Eczema is a complex condition influenced by genetics, immune function, and environmental triggers. But stress can play a significant role for many people. You may have noticed that your skin flares up during stressful periods, or that the frustration and self-consciousness of having eczema creates more stress, feeding a cycle that can be difficult to break.
This is where hypnotherapy for eczema can help. By reducing stress and breaking the itch-scratch cycle, many people find they sleep better and feel calmer, which in turn can support the body’s natural healing processes alongside conventional treatment.
If you would like to find out more about eczema hypnotherapy and how I might be able to help, please get in touch.
Common Reasons to Seek Hypnosis for Eczema
- Eczema that flares up during stressful periods
- Constant itching and burning sensations
- Nighttime itching that disturbs sleep
- Feeling self-conscious or embarrassed about your skin
- Wanting a natural treatment for eczema alongside medical care
- Trying multiple treatments without lasting relief
- The stress of eczema is making your skin worse
- Avoiding certain clothes, activities or social situations
Susannah Saunders
Hello, my name is Susannah. I am a clinical hypnotherapist and life coach in London with over 20 years of experience helping people to enjoy a happier, more fulfilling life. Get in touch to find out more or book an appointment in London today.
Clinical Hypnotherapy for Eczema
Is eczema caused by stress? Not entirely, but stress can play a major role in triggering flare-ups and making symptoms worse.
When you’re stressed, your body releases cortisol and other stress hormones. In the short term, cortisol has anti-inflammatory effects. But when stress is chronic, your body can become less responsive to cortisol and inflammation increases. This can trigger or worsen eczema symptoms.
Stress also affects the skin barrier, making it more permeable and less able to retain moisture. It can increase itching sensations and lower your threshold for scratching. And of course, having eczema is stressful in itself, thereby feeding the cycle.
Eczema stress treatment through hypnotherapy works by calming your nervous system and reducing the chronic stress response that contributes to inflammation. We can also address the scratching habit by working therapeutically with your subconscious mind.
I usually work with clients for around 4 to 6 sessions, and you can schedule these at a pace that suits you.
Hypnotherapy for Eczema Can Help You
- Reduce stress
- Sleep better
- Break the scratch-itch cycle
- Feel more confident about your skin
- Develop a better relationship with your body
- Support your skin's natural healing
How Hypnosis for Eczema Works
Hypnosis is a natural state of focused attention, similar to becoming absorbed in a good book or film. In this state, your mind is often more receptive to helpful ideas and new ways of responding.
During an eczema hypnosis session, I’ll guide you into a deeply relaxed state and use imagery, visualisation and carefully chosen suggestions to communicate with the subconscious mind, which responds particularly well to images and imagination.
Research has shown that the brain often responds to vividly imagined experiences in a similar way to real ones. This means we can use imagery to encourage feelings of comfort, calm and ease within the body. For example, some people find it helpful to imagine irritated skin becoming cooler, calmer, and more comfortable or to picture the urge to scratch gradually fading into the background.
We will also address any limiting beliefs you may have about your skin and replace them with more supportive and empowering ones. In addition, we’ll work on helping you respond to stress in healthier ways, building a greater sense of calm and resilience. As you learn to calm the mind and body more effectively, many people find they become less reactive to stress and feel more comfortable in their skin.
If you would like to find out how I can help, let's talk
The Impact of Eczema
Eczema can affect much more than just your skin. The itching can be incredibly distracting and uncomfortable, particularly at night when it interferes with sleep. Some people find themselves waking up scratching, while others struggle to get comfortable enough to fall asleep in the first place.
The visible nature of eczema can also affect confidence and self-esteem. You may feel self-conscious about your skin, avoid certain clothes, or worry about how others might react. Some people find themselves avoiding activities such as swimming, going to the gym, dating, or intimacy because they feel uncomfortable in their own skin.
Living with eczema can be emotionally draining. Many people spend years trying different creams, diets, supplements, and treatments, hoping the next thing will finally be the answer. When improvements are short-lived or don’t happen at all, it can leave you feeling frustrated, exhausted and fed up.
Some people are also dealing with topical steroid withdrawal (TSW), which can be an incredibly difficult experience. Symptoms may include intense flare-ups, burning sensations, discomfort, disturbed sleep and heightened stress or anxiety. While hypnotherapy is not a cure for TSW itself, it can provide valuable support by helping you feel calmer, sleep more easily, cope better with stress and regain a greater sense of control during a time that can often feel overwhelming.
If you’ve been searching for how to calm eczema, it’s easy to feel as though all the focus is on creams, treatments, and what you put on your skin. Hypnotherapy takes a different approach by working with the stress, emotions, habits and subconscious responses that can influence how you experience your symptoms. The goal is to help you feel calmer, sleep better, and respond differently to triggers, so you feel more comfortable, more resilient and more in control of your eczema.
Understanding The Mind-Skin Connection
Your skin and your nervous system are closely connected. They develop from the same cells in the embryo and remain in constant communication throughout your life. This is why emotional states can show up on your skin, whether that’s blushing when embarrassed, going pale with fear or flaring up with eczema when stressed.
When your nervous system is on high alert, it affects immune function, inflammation levels and the skin’s ability to heal. Chronic stress keeps your system activated, which can contribute to ongoing skin problems.
Whilst hypnotherapy is not an absolute cure, it can provide relief by calming this overactive stress response. In a deeply relaxed state, your body shifts from fight-or-flight into rest-and-repair mode. This supports healthier immune function and allows your skin to heal more effectively.
Research supports the use of hypnotherapy for skin conditions. Studies have shown that hypnosis can reduce itching, improve skin appearance and enhance quality of life for people with eczema and other dermatological conditions.
Many people looking for a natural eczema treatment approach are interested in supporting both the mind and body, rather than relying solely on products applied to the skin. Hypnotherapy for eczema and other skin conditions can complement medical care by helping you manage stress, reduce scratching behaviours, and feel more comfortable in your own skin.
Breaking the Scratch-Itch Cycle
One of the most frustrating things about eczema is the scratching. You know it makes things worse, but you can’t seem to stop. Often, you don’t even realise you’re doing it until the damage is done.
Scratching is driven by the subconscious mind. It often happens automatically in response to stress, boredom or habit, not just itching. This is why willpower alone rarely works. By the time you notice you’re scratching, you’ve already started.
Eczema hypnotherapy can help because it works directly with the subconscious. We can help you become aware of the urge to scratch before you act on it. We can also work on reducing the stress, frustration, anxiety, or other emotions that may be contributing to the cycle, while helping you develop healthier ways to respond to those feelings.
For many people with eczema, breaking the scratch-itch cycle is one of the most valuable things hypnotherapy can offer. As the scratching reduces, the skin has a chance to heal.
Is Hypnotherapy for Eczema Right for You?
Hypnotherapy for eczema is most effective when stress, scratching habits, sleep disruption, anxiety or emotional well-being are playing a role in your symptoms. Some clients come to me because they notice their eczema worsens during stressful periods, while others want help managing the frustration, self-consciousness and exhaustion that can come with living with a long-term skin condition.
It’s important to understand that hypnotherapy is not a natural cure for eczema, and I would never suggest stopping any medical treatment recommended by your healthcare professional. Eczema is a complex condition with many possible causes and triggers, and no single approach works for everyone.
Instead, hypnotherapy can be used alongside conventional medical care to help you feel calmer, sleep more soundly, reduce emotional triggers and develop healthier responses to itching and discomfort. For many people, this creates a positive foundation that supports both their well-being and their ability to manage their eczema more effectively.
If stress, scratching, poor sleep or the emotional impact of eczema are affecting your quality of life, hypnotherapy may be a valuable part of your overall approach to managing the condition.
Hypnotherapy for Eczema in London and Online
My private London hypnotherapy practice was founded in 2003. I have been awarded the Senior Qualification of Hypnotherapy Practice (SQHP) from the General Hypnotherapy Standards Council (GHSC) and the HPD from the National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH).
For more information on how I use clinical hypnotherapy as a natural treatment for eczema in my London hypnotherapy clinic or online, get in touch. We can talk through your particular situation, and I can explain how I can help.
If you would like to find out how I can help, let's talk
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FAQs
How many sessions of hypnotherapy for eczema will I need?
I usually work with clients for around 4 to 6 sessions. Some people notice changes quickly, while others benefit from a longer programme to fully address the stress and scratching patterns that contribute to their eczema.
How does hypnosis for eczema work?
Hypnosis for eczema works by calming your nervous system and reducing the stress response that can trigger flare-ups. It can also help break the scratching habit by working with the subconscious mind to build new responses to the urge to scratch.
Is eczema caused by stress?
Stress doesn’t directly cause eczema, but it can trigger flare-ups and worsen symptoms. Eczema stress treatment through hypnotherapy addresses this connection by calming the nervous system and reducing chronic stress.
Can hypnotherapy cure eczema?
Hypnotherapy can’t completely cure eczema, but it can help reduce eczema symptoms by addressing the stress and scratching that make things worse. Many people find that their flare-ups become less frequent and less severe.
How can hypnotherapy help with scratching?
Scratching is often an automatic, subconscious behaviour. Eczema hypnotherapy can help you become aware of the urge before you act on it and build new responses, breaking the scratch-itch cycle that damages the skin.
Will I be in control during hypnosis?
Yes, completely. Hypnosis is simply a focused, relaxed state. You’ll be aware of everything that’s happening and can open your eyes at any time.
Is online hypnotherapy for eczema as effective as in-person?
Yes. Many clients find they relax more easily at home, which can enhance the hypnosis. All you need is a quiet, comfortable space and a good internet connection.
Can hypnotherapy work alongside my medical treatment?
Yes. Hypnotherapy for eczema works well alongside creams, medications, and other medical treatments. It addresses the stress and behavioural factors that complement physical treatment of the skin.
Is hypnotherapy a natural treatment for eczema?
Yes. Hypnotherapy is a drug-free approach that works with your mind and body to reduce stress, break scratching habits, and support your skin’s natural healing. Many people find it helpful as a natural treatment for eczema alongside their existing care.
How do I know if stress is affecting my eczema?
If your eczema tends to flare up during stressful periods, or if you notice you scratch more when anxious or tired, stress is likely playing a role.
Can children have hypnotherapy for eczema?
Yes. Children often respond very well to hypnosis because they naturally use their imagination. Eczema hypnotherapy can help children feel calmer, sleep better, and develop healthier responses to itching and scratching. Parents who are researching how to help their child with eczema often find it useful as part of a broader approach alongside medical care and good skincare practices.
What does a session involve?
Each session begins with a conversation about how you’ve been and what you’d like to focus on. I then guide you into a relaxed state and use therapeutic suggestions to help calm your nervous system, reduce scratching and support your skin.
If you would like to learn more about how to help eczema, it often involves addressing this stress connection alongside topical treatments.
Contact me today to book a session
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