Researchers at University of Medicine Berlin and McMaster University in Canada, are proving what many hypnotherapists know - that stress may activate immune cells in your skin, resulting in inflammatory skin disease and itching.

Our skin provides the first level of defense against infections, serving not only as a physical barrier, but also as a site for white blood cells to attack invading bacteria and viruses. When the immune cells in skin over-react, however, the result can be inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

Stress can trigger an outbreak in patients suffering from inflammatory skin conditions. This cross talk between stress perception, which involves the brain, and the skin is mediated through the "brain-skin connection". Yet, little is know about the means by which stress aggravates skin diseases.

The research has been led by by Dr. Petra Arck of Charité, University of Medicine Berlin and McMaster University in Canada, who has hypothesized that stress can exacerbate skin disease by increasing the number of immune cells in the skin.

Laboratory mice were exposed to stress to test this theory as part of the research. The findings were that the stress challenge did result in higher numbers of mature white blood cells in the skin.

Hypnotherapy has proved extremely successful in reducing stress levels because hypnotherapy aids intense relaxation and a sense of well being. The best part is that hypnotherapy is completely drug free and natural. Reducing your stress has a profound effect on many areas of your life and your perception on life.

Journal reference:

1. Joachim RA, Handjiski B, Blois SM, Hagen E, Paus R, Arck PC. Stress-induced neurogenic inflammation in murine skin skews dendritic cells towards maturation and migration: key role of ICAM1/LFA-1 interactions. Am J Pathol, 2008 173:1379-1388

Jimi Sayo

Harley Street Hypnotherapy

www.londonfemalehypnotist.co.uk