Hypnosis for Allergies

Sneezing, wheezing, streaming eyes, breathing difficulties, inflammation, rashes or, in extreme cases, anaphylactic shock or loss of consciousness are the sign that you may be suffering from an allergy. And in these instances your first port of call should always be your doctor, who can prescribe medications such as antihistamines to alleviate your symptoms. But did you know that simply by imagining an allergen (such as pollen or fur) you can induce allergic symptoms without the allergen being present? It's also been shown that high levels of stress increase a person's susceptibility to allergic reactions (and, of course, other diseases). This is because stress affects your immune system so adversely that when an allergen enters your body, your already over-stretched immune system responds inappropriately, which results in an allergic response.

Hypnotherapy works in conjunction with the medication prescribed by your GP and uses stress-management techniques, such as self-hypnosis, to allow your immune system to function more effectively. Visualisation and hypno-desensitisation techniques can also help to reduce your allergic reaction.

THE EVIDENCE?
In 2005 the journal Psychotherapy And Psychosomatics reported a Swiss study conducted at Basle University in which 66 people with hay fever were taught self-hypnosis but continued taking their regular anti-hay-fever drugs. The researchers found that after learning self-hypnosis the volunteers reduced the amount of hay-fever medication they used. It was also noted that it helped to improve nasal air flow, and alleviate symptoms such as a runny nose, even when the volunteers were exposed to substances that triggered their hay fever, such as pollen.

To go back to the What Hypnosis Can Help page, click here.