Geoff Beattie
More than six million people could be losing touch with society because of a debilitating skin condition.
A new study by renowned body language Psychologist Geoff Beattie reveals that Britain is now officially a more touching nation, with people needing to touch each other virtually once a minute and nearly two thirds (57%) saying they feel deprived and neglected when ‘touch starved’ for longer than a day.
Yet one in 10 people suffering from hand eczema are fearful of making human contact because they are embarrassed and ashamed of the dry, cracked skin on their hands, with 84% saying they lack confidence and have severe self esteem issues.
Professor Beattie’s ‘The Power of Touch’ study was commissioned by www.myhandeczema.co.uk to understand the importance of touch in modern day society and the impact hand eczema has on sufferers’ ability to physically interact with others.
Said Professor Beattie: "This new study proves that today’s generation is a more touching nation, yet over 6 million hand eczema sufferers really are losing touch with society as they are fearful of making contact with their hands.
"The power of touch brings huge emotional and psychological benefits and can release ‘feel good’ hormones. If you are touched by someone, even a stranger, it makes you more receptive towards them. Being unable to touch others can lead to people feeling anxious and even depressed."
Hand eczema is a common skin condition, causing symptoms including red blisters beneath the skin, itching, swelling, scaling and deep cracks that can become infected.
When severe, hand eczema can be a painful and debilitating condition that can have a seriously detrimental impact on a person’s quality of life - greater at times than life-threatening illnesses such as cancer.
80% of severe hand eczema sufferers say it has a large impact on their social life and in some cases people may be forced to give up their job as they are no longer able to work.
Tagged in Health