They found that cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), which works on changing
negative thought patterns, also had a sizeable effect on symptoms.
Relaxation techniques and meditation sessions were shown to be only slightly
less effective across the range of complaints.

However, the experts found that psychological intervention was less effective
the older a patient was, underlining the need for medical staff to tailor
therapies when treating older sufferers.

The psychologists’ ‘meta-analysis’ also discovered that group therapy appeared
to be as effective as one-to-one treatment, but they said timely follow-up
‘booster sessions’ may be needed to cement early improvements in symptoms.

Bevis Man, spokesman for the British Skin Foundation charity, said: “This is
welcome news as it adds more weight to the debate that we ought to pay more
attention to psychological intervention and its benefits to managing and
treating skin conditions.

“It is already widely acknowledged that distress, trauma and stressful periods
of a person’s life are often triggers for the initial development of
psoriasis and eczema, as well as subsequent flare-ups. It therefore makes
sense that we attempt to tackle some of these underlying issues in addition
to treating any symptomatic problems caused by the various skin diseases.

“It is interesting to see which psychological interventions are most
successful and at what intervals, as this hopefully gives an insight into
what treatment structures incorporating such techniques may look like in the
future.

“There has been a dogged approach to treating skin disease using the more
conventional and accepted methods of treatment, yet we know these are not
always completely effective. Having an additional means of managing and
treating common skin conditions through interventions can only be a positive
step in the right direction.”

The Sheffield University team said their study highlighted the need for
further research through controlled trials to develop treatments targeting
specific complaints and to evaluate them across a wider range of skin
conditions.

Mr Man added: “Hopefully this study will be a catalyst for further research
looking into which of the other stress-related skin diseases may benefit
from psychological intervention, as well as what other forms of intervention
can be used in a similarly effective manner.”

A snapshot survey last month of dermatology doctors and nurses found many
calling for counselling to be more readily available on the NHS for their
patients, some of whom suffer acute psychological distress because of their
skin conditions.

They said stress was a significant factor for eczema sufferers, as well as
those with acne, psoriasis – characterised by dry red patches of skin
covered with silvery scales – and vitiligo, in which pale patches appear on
the skin.

The British Skin Foundation said people self-harm and even contemplate suicide
as a result of skin conditions. It found that half of people with skin
conditions have suffered some form of verbal abuse in public.

Dr Anthony Bewley, a psychodermatologist, said: “Patients with skin disease
often feel enormously upset about their skin condition, as it affects their
confidence and self-esteem in so many different ways.

“All too often the impact of skin disease is underestimated … Many patients
consider their skin conditions to be more psychologically damaging than
diabetes or heart disease.”