Eczema
Eczema is an itchy skin disorder caused by a variety of internal and external factors. In the acute phase, it is characterized mainly by papulovesicles; in the chronic phase, by epidermal thickening and lichenification.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), eczema is called “damp sores” (湿疮). Historical TCM texts used different names according to the type of skin lesions and the affected area, including “sores that spread by immersion” (浸淫疮), “lunar-eclipse sores” (月蚀疮), “damp-toxin sores” (湿毒疮), “blood-wind sores” (血风疮), “nipple wind” (乳头风), “scrotal wind” (肾囊风), “four-bend wind” (四弯风), “infantile facial sores” (胎敛疮), “eyebrow sores” (恋眉疮), “navel sores” (脐疮), “nasal sores” (鼻窊疮), “damp tinea” (湿癣), “dry tinea” (干癣), and “button wind” (钮扣风). These are now collectively referred to as damp sores.
TCM Pattern Identification and Treatment Reference
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
The skin is red and hot to the touch, with dense papulovesicles and marked oozing. Itching is fairly severe, and onset is acute. May be accompanied by restlessness, thirst, dark yellow urine, and dry stools. The tongue is red with a yellow, greasy coating; the pulse is slippery or rapid.
In plain language:
- The skin is red and feels hot or burning.
- There are many closely clustered raised bumps and small blisters.
- There is noticeable oozing, and the affected area may feel wet.
- Itching is fairly severe, with a strong urge to scratch.
- The condition starts suddenly and develops quickly.
- There may be feelings of agitation or restlessness.
- There may be thirst.
- Urine may be yellow.
- Stools may be dry and difficult to pass.
- The tongue may appear red.
- The tongue coating may be yellow and greasy.
- The pulse may feel slippery or fast.
|Treatment approach
Clinical description:
Clear heat and drain dampness; dispel wind and relieve itching.
In plain language:
- Aims to clear internal heat and promote the elimination of dampness, easing discomforts such as a feverish feeling, heaviness in the body, or difficulty urinating.
- Aims to dispel wind and ease itching, helping relieve symptoms such as red rashes, intense itching, or repeated scratching.
|Related formulas
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
The lesions are mainly red papules, sometimes with scaling and crusting, with little noticeable oozing. Onset is rapid, the rash may spread over the body, and itching is intense. The tongue is red with a thin yellow coating; the pulse is floating and rapid or wiry and rapid.
In plain language:
- The rash consists mainly of small red raised spots, sometimes with flaking or crusting. There is little noticeable oozing; it develops quickly, may spread over the body, and can be intensely itchy.
- The tongue may appear red.
- The tongue coating may be thin and yellow.
- The pulse may feel floating and fast, or tense and fast.
|Treatment approach
Clinical description:
Dispel wind and clear heat; drain dampness and relieve itching.
In plain language:
- Aims to dispel wind and clear internal heat, easing discomforts such as fever, headache, sore throat, agitation, or thirst.
- Aims to promote the elimination of dampness and relieve itching, easing symptoms such as heaviness in the body, difficulty urinating, or itchy red rashes.
|Related formulas
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
The lesions are mainly papules or papulovesicles. The skin may look dull or have scales, with slight oozing and itching. May be accompanied by poor appetite, fatigue, abdominal bloating, loose stools, and clear, copious or slightly yellow urine. The tongue is pale and swollen, with a thin white or greasy coating; the pulse is soft or wiry and moderate.
In plain language:
- The rash is mainly small raised bumps or blisters. The skin may look dull or flaky, with little fluid and some itching.
- Appetite may be poor, and fatigue may occur easily.
- There may be abdominal bloating and loose stools.
- Urine may be clear and plentiful or slightly yellow.
- The tongue may appear pale and swollen.
- The tongue coating may be thin and white or appear greasy.
- The pulse may feel soft or tense and relatively slow.
|Treatment approach
Clinical description:
Strengthen the Spleen and drain dampness; dispel wind and relieve itching.
In plain language:
- Aims to support Spleen and Stomach function and promote the elimination of dampness, easing discomforts such as poor appetite, heaviness in the body, or loose stools.
- Aims to dispel wind and ease itching, helping relieve symptoms such as red rashes, intense itching, or repeated scratching.
|Related formulas
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
The lesions are dry, rough, thickened, and lichenified, with possible scratch marks and scaling. Itching is present, and the condition may persist for a prolonged period. The tongue is pale with a white coating; the pulse is thin.
In plain language:
- The affected skin is dry, rough, and thickened, with a lichen-like appearance.
- Scratch marks and flaking may be visible on the skin.
- Itching may occur, and the condition may persist for a long time.
- The tongue may appear pale.
- The tongue coating may appear white.
- The pulse may feel thin.
|Treatment approach
Clinical description:
Nourish the blood and moisten the skin; dispel wind and relieve itching.
In plain language:
- Aims to nourish the blood and moisturize the skin, easing discomforts such as a sallow complexion, dry skin, or flaking.
- Aims to dispel wind and ease itching, helping relieve symptoms such as red rashes, intense itching, or repeated scratching.
|Related formulas
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
References
- Immunology Group, Dermatology and Venereology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Eczema (2011) [J]. Chinese Journal of Dermatology, 2011, 44(1): 5–6.
- Cao Yang, Zhang Guangzhong, Zhang Cang, et al. Clinical approach to treating eczema with oral Chinese patent medicines [J]. Chinese Journal of Dermatovenereology of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, 2015, 14(3): 178–180.
- Environmental and Occupational Dermatology Group, Dermatology and Venereology Committee of the Chinese Association of Integrative Medicine. Expert consensus on the treatment of eczema and dermatitis with topical Chinese patent medicines (2012) [J]. Chinese Journal of Dermatology, 2012, 45(12): 841–842.
- Environmental and Occupational Dermatology Group, Dermatology and Venereology Committee of the Chinese Association of Integrative Medicine. Expert consensus on the treatment of eczema and dermatitis with topical Chinese patent medicines (2014) [J]. Chinese Journal of Dermatology, 2014, 47(6): 440–441.
- Environmental and Occupational Dermatology Group, Dermatology and Venereology Committee. Expert consensus on systemic pharmacological treatment of eczema- and dermatitis-related skin disorders using integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine (2015 edition) [J]. Chinese Journal of Dermatology, 2015, 48(3): 151–153.
- Yang Zhibo, Lai Bin, Huang Yingyu. A systematic review of Chinese patent medicine ointments for eczema [J]. International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2011, 33(1): 48–51.