Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic, superficial inflammatory skin condition characterized by papulosquamous lesions. It occurs in areas with increased sebum production, commonly affecting sebaceous-gland-rich areas such as the scalp, face, and trunk. It is most common in adults and newborns and may be accompanied by varying degrees of itching.

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it is known by different names according to the area affected, including “white scale wind,” “wandering facial wind,” and “button wind.”

TCM Pattern Identification and Medication Reference

|Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Most often affecting the face and scalp, this pattern presents with pale-red patches, dryness, scaling, and itching that worsens with exposure to wind. It may also involve an itchy scalp, abundant dandruff, and dry, brittle hair or hair loss. Associated features may include dry mouth and thirst, dry stools, a reddish tongue with a thin white coating, and a fine, rapid pulse.

In plain language:

  • Pale-red patches may appear on the face or scalp, with dry, flaky, itchy skin. Symptoms may worsen in windy conditions.
  • There may also be an itchy scalp with a lot of dandruff, and hair that is dry, brittle, and prone to falling out.
  • Dry mouth and thirst, along with dry, difficult-to-pass stools, may occur at the same time.
  • The tongue may look somewhat red, with a thin, white coating.
  • The pulse may feel fine and slightly rapid.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Dispel wind and clear heat; nourish the blood and moisten dryness.

In plain language:

  • Aims to dispel wind and clear internal heat, and may help ease discomfort such as dizziness, a sore or swollen throat, or skin rashes.
  • Aims to nourish the blood and moisten dryness, and may help ease signs such as a sallow complexion, dry skin, or itchy, flaky skin.

|Related Medications

The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

|Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Skin lesions appear as erythematous patches with greasy scales or crusts, and may progress to erosion and weeping. Associated features may include a bitter, sticky taste in the mouth, fullness and distension in the epigastrium and abdomen, scanty dark urine, foul-smelling stools, a red tongue with a yellow, greasy coating, and a slippery, rapid pulse.

In plain language:

  • The skin may develop red patches with greasy-looking scales or crusts. In more severe cases, the skin may erode and ooze.
  • The mouth may taste bitter and feel sticky or coated.
  • The upper and lower abdomen may feel full and distended, as though blocked or uncomfortable.
  • Urination may be scanty, and the urine may be yellow in color.
  • Stools may have a noticeably unpleasant odor.
  • The tongue may appear red, with a yellow, greasy coating.
  • The pulse may feel smooth and slippery, and somewhat rapid.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness; clear heat and relieve itching.

In plain language:

  • Aims to support the spleen and stomach and clear dampness from the body; it may help ease discomfort such as poor appetite, a heavy feeling in the body, or loose stools.
  • Aims to clear internal heat and relieve itching; it may help ease signs such as skin rashes, intense itching, or repeated scratching.

|Related Medications

The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

Longdan Xiegan Tang
Fangfeng Tongsheng San

References

  1. Li Yueqing. External Medicine in Traditional Chinese Medicine [M]. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2007: 192–194.
  2. Qu Xing. Dermatology and Venereology in Traditional Chinese Medicine [M]. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2009: 222–224.
  3. Zhao Bian. Clinical Dermatology [M]. Nanjing: Jiangsu Science and Technology Press, 2009: 741–742.
  4. Jean L. Bolognia, Joseph L. Jorizzo, Ronald P. Rapini, et al. Dermatology (Textbook Edition) [M]. Translated by Zhu Xuejun, Wang Baoxi, Sun Jianfang, et al. Beijing: Peking University Medical Press, 2015: 231–234.
  5. Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, ed. Collected Clinical Experience of Zhu Ren Kang [M]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2005: 90–98.
  6. Zhao Bingnan, Zhang Zhili. Concise Textbook of Dermatology in Traditional Chinese Medicine [M]. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2014: 228–230.
  7. Shen Dong. Common Chinese Patent Medicines Used in Dermatology and Their Clinical Applications [J]. Chinese Journal for Clinicians, 2010, 38(2): 65–66.