None of these health retreats hold secret cures and, unlike on the Continent, sufferers will not be prescribed breaks there on the NHS.

But they may afford sufferers some relaxation and temporary relief from the discomfort and distress of conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and acne; especially if they are able to follow a personal-treatment plan outlined by a dermatologist over a period of at least a week or more.

Many destinations combine the concentration of salt and minerals in the sea or thermal springs with a warm climate, sunshine and strictly controlled UV treatment.

Doctors are uncertain why salt water is an effective complementary therapy to sunlight but it is clear that the two work well together and can offer some patients respite from skin conditions for a number of months.

Health resorts are likely to be staffed by understanding professionals and populated by fellow sufferers who often find a degree of comfort and support among each other.

Dealing with the external manifestations of a skin problem helps people to cope better with the often demoralising mental side of the condition. Just by taking action into their own hands provides a psychological boost for some people and helps to promote wellbeing.

Mayr & More at the Golf Hotel, Lake Worth, in southern Austria is not for wimps. It is a serious place for people with serious (although not chronic) medical problems. As soon as you walk through the door, you know they mean business.

Although much of the focus at Mayr is on detox and weight loss, there are consultations for skin problems. The Saline Air Cabin, for example, combines sea salt from the Dead Sea with oxygen to heal the skin, and various hydrotherapy treatments and swimming in the lake can be helpful. Not to mention the relaxing setting and pure Alpine air. (00 43 4273 25110)

Spa Smrdaky, in western Slovakia, alleviates the symptoms of sufferers through its intensive treatments of daily mineral baths combined with UV lamps.

The feel is more clinical than kick-back resort, the grounds are roomy and the spa lives up to its “stinky” name with a sulphurous rotten-egg smell.

Like many health resorts, the spa recommends a stay of three-plus weeks, but visitors have reported a marked improvement even after ten days. Treatments – taken naked - include tars, salicylic acid creams, moisturiser and timed daily baths in the hydrogen-sulphide-rich waters. All-inclusive ten-day packages, including two medical examinations and five treatments a day, start from £599 (www.kupelesmrdaky.sk).

The Daniel Dead Sea Hotel, in Ein Bokek, Israel is no quick-fix day spa. Many people book in for at least two weeks to treat a particular complaint such as psoriasis or arthritis with a daily treatment following an in-depth medical consultation – though it’s always worth checking beforehand that they have staff on hand who speak fluent English. It is an authentic Dead Sea Shizen spa with 22 treatment rooms, Dead Sea pools and a 70-strong, predominantly Russian, platoon of therapists.

Times recommends

• Dubai cheaper than Doncaster as room rates tumble
• World Cup 2010 - plan your trip
• Copenhagen: Europe's greenest city