Itching is something that affects everyone from time to time, but when the itch is just always there it becomes annoying. Scratching yourself continuously therefore does not always improve the situation. With some skin conditions everything even gets worse, such as eczema or psoriasis. Sometimes you also just have a persistent itch in certain places on your body. If you cannot get a good diagnosis or are told to live with it, it is difficult.
That's why in this article I'll discuss itching and how hypnosis can help you reduce it and avoid scratching.
What is itching?
If you suffer from itching, there is a molecule abbreviated Nppb that is released by your nerves. This sends a signal to your brain that you have an itch and therefore that you should start scratching.
It was previously thought that the signals received by the body for pain, heat and itching were the same, but in pain and heat, Nppb is not released by the nerves and therefore you do not get the urge to scratch.
So itching actually really has the function of your hand going to the place where you are itching and to start scratching.
Why is our instinct to scratch when itching?
Evolutionarily, this is a very logical response to itching. Insects often carry diseases, so you don't want them to sting you and then you get the zika virus, lyme disease or some other insect-borne disease. So it makes perfect sense that your instinct wants you to scratch when itching.
In some situations you get an itch that has nothing at all to do with insects, but with skin conditions or just because you were too late and already have a mosquito bite. In that case, you want to avoid scratching precisely because you will only do more damage to your skin.
Hypnosis techniques for not scratching your head
Scratching over time can become a habit in areas where your skin suffers from itching. Seeing that scratching is not good for you can cause you to become stressed and actually scratch more.
Hypno-desensitization can help reduce this scratching behavior. One technique, for example, is glove anesthesia. Through visualizations, it is possible to make you feel like your hand is numb. Then you can use your hand to transmit this feeling to the place where you are itching instead of scratching.
It can also be used to make the area where you have an itch warmer and increase blood flow, thus speeding up the healing process. This is both similar to scratching, but not the same as scratching.
Practical tips for not scratching your head
If you have cold water or ice on hand you can use it to make a cold compress that temporarily numbs your skin. This does cause the blood flow to decrease, slowing down recovery.
For a mosquito bite, you can put a band-aid over it to keep from scratching.
Cut your nails short so it's harder to scratch your skin.
Conditions with itching
As I just mentioned, there are a number of conditions that can cause you to suffer from long-term itching. Skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis are the best known examples, but you can also suffer from itching with hemorrhoids, burns, contact eczema, skin cancer, leukemia, kidney failure, impaired liver function, shingles and MS.
Therefore, if you do not have a clearly identifiable reason for prolonged itching, it is always important to see your doctor to find out if your prolonged itching is not caused by a serious and life-threatening illness.
Hypnosis techniques to reduce the feeling of itching
There are two known case studies describing techniques that helped significantly reduce itching and other symptoms of the skin condition.
The technique to stop scratching by feeling numb is also a technique to reduce itching at the moment it bothers you. Initially, you learn this during hypnotherapy, but once you get the hang of it, you can use it any time of day with self-hypnosis.
In this regard, visualizations of situations where you yourself notice the itch becoming less are also a good technique to reduce itching. For example, if you notice that the sun makes your skin itch less, you can visualize yourself enjoying a sunny day in the park and the warmth of the sun on your skin. On the other hand, if the itchiness gets less for you when you feel a fresh breeze, you can visualize walking in the forest and feeling the fresh forest air breeze against you.
A hypnotherapist can help you identify situations in which you itch less. If you find it difficult to visualize things, the hypnotherapist can help you with this during a session and give you practical and personal tips that work for you to visualize well during hypnosis and self-hypnosis.
Ego-strengthening suggestions are also used to reduce the feeling of itchiness by giving you a sense of control. Increased self-confidence can help enhance the effects of the other hypnosis techniques.
Another case study shows that in addition to self-hypnosis and visualizations, relaxation exercises also help with itching.
You also need a good relaxation exercise to get into a good hypnotic state. Therefore, I will give a few tips on how to relax properly:
- Find a quiet and especially comfortable place in your home where you can sit or lie down.
- Sit or lie down and close your eyes.
- Breathe calmly through your nose.
- Put your hands on your belly to check if you are breathing through your belly or chest.
- If all goes well, you'll notice that when you inhale your hands go up and when you exhale they go down. If not, do your best to breathe through your belly. If you are lying on your back this is automatic.
Let any thoughts you have flow by and focus on your breathing and how comfortable you are in your favorite chair or on your bed.
If you are properly relaxed, you can begin self-hypnosis techniques, such as visualizations or repeating ego strengthening suggestions.
Practical tips to reduce itching in skin conditions
In addition to hypnotherapy and self-hypnosis, there are a few practical things you can do to reduce itching caused by a skin condition.
- Hydrate your skin.
Your skin itself has a kind of oily protective layer. Research shows that with eczema, this protective layer has all sorts of holes that can cause you to suffer from eczema symptoms. By lubricating your skin with moisturizing products, you seal your skin better and prevent bacteria and allergens from causing more damage to your skin and causing itching.
It is especially important to do this after taking a bath or shower.
- Wear comfortable clothing.
Wear clothes that are not too tight and of fabrics that make you feel good. Nothing is more awkward than a fabric that causes you to feel extra itchy instead of less itchy. Cotton and linen are often fabrics that are very comfortable on the skin. Wool and synthetic fabrics, on the other hand, can cause extra itching and irritation to your skin.
Of course, a combination of hypnosis techniques and practical tips work best to reduce long-term itching.
In short
Itching is incredibly annoying and is transmitted to your brain by the nervous system slightly differently than pain or heat. As a result, you immediately have the reflex to start scratching. Through hypnotherapy, it is possible to replace this reflex for a kind of numbing or heating reflex which also reduces the itch without damaging your skin.
In addition, hypnotherapy can be used to relieve the general feeling of itching. This can include relaxation exercises, ego-strengthening suggestions and visualizations of situations where you personally really feel less itchy than usual.
Want to learn more about the power of hypnosis? Then check out Hypnosis Institute Netherlands' seminars and trainings.
Sources:
http://www.lcch.co.uk/hypnosisarticles/hypnosis_skindisorders2.htm
http://science.time.com/2013/05/23/solved-the-mystery-of-the-maddening-itch/
