Pityriasis Rosea
Pityriasis rosea is an acute inflammatory skin condition characterized by erythematous, papular, scaly lesions and associated with multiple factors. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), pityriasis rosea is known as “wind-heat sores.” Depending on its signs and symptoms, it may also be referred to as “wind ringworm,” “mother-and-child ringworm,” “blood gan,” “child-and-mother ringworm,” or “purple scabies.”
TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Skin lesions are pale-red, round or oval patches covered with fine, thin scales. Onset is sudden, with mild to intense itching. Other features may include restlessness, thirst, slightly yellow urine, and dry stools. The tongue is red with a white or thin yellow coating, and the pulse is floating and rapid.
In plain language:
- The skin lesions are pale-red, round or oval patches with fine, thin scaling on the surface.
- The condition starts suddenly and develops quickly.
- Itching can range from mild to severe and may sometimes be intense.
- You may feel restless and thirsty.
- Urine may appear somewhat yellow.
- Stools may be dry and difficult to pass.
- The tongue may appear red.
- The tongue coating may be white or thin and yellowish.
- The pulse may feel superficial and somewhat rapid.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Dispel wind, clear heat, detoxify, and relieve itching.
In plain language:
- Aims to dispel “wind” and clear internal “heat,” which may help ease discomforts such as fever, headache, sore throat, or thirst and restlessness.
- Aims to clear harmful factors from the body and relieve itching, which may help ease skin rashes, intense itching, or repeated scratching.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes 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 bright red with bran-like scales and intense itching. Scratch marks and blood crusts may be present. Onset is relatively acute, but the course is prolonged. Other features may include restlessness, irritability, dryness of the mouth and throat, a red tongue with a thin yellow coating, and a wiry, rapid or slippery, rapid pulse.
In plain language:
- The skin lesions are bright red, with fine scales on the surface that resemble bran.
- Itching can be severe. Scratching may leave marks and cause blood crusts to form.
- Onset may be sudden and develop quickly, but symptoms may persist for a long time.
- You may feel restless, irritable, and prone to anger.
- Your mouth and throat may feel dry.
- The tongue may appear red, with a thin yellow coating.
- The pulse may feel taut and rapid, or slippery and rapid.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Clear heat and cool the blood; dispel wind and detoxify.
In plain language:
- Aims to clear internal “heat” and cool the blood, which may help ease fever, restlessness, thirst, dry throat, or skin spots associated with bleeding.
- Aims to dispel “wind” and clear harmful factors from the body, which may help ease skin rashes, painful sores or swelling, or a sore throat.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes 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 rash is pale in color, with abundant scaling and marked itching. The course is prolonged, and scratch marks and blood crusts may be present. Other features may include a dry throat, a red tongue with little moisture, a scant tongue coating, and a wiry, rapid pulse.
In plain language:
- The rash looks pale rather than bright red.
- There may be a lot of scaling, with flakes repeatedly shedding and covering the skin.
- Itching may be quite intense, making you want to scratch frequently.
- The condition may last for a long time, with symptoms persisting.
- Repeated scratching may leave marks and cause blood crusts to form.
- Your throat may feel dry and uncomfortable.
- The tongue may look red and have little moisture, appearing somewhat dry.
- There may be very little coating on the tongue.
- The pulse may feel taut and rapid.
| 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, which may help ease a sallow complexion, dry skin, or scaling.
- Aims to dispel “wind” and relieve itching, which may help ease skin rashes, intense itching, or repeated scratching.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for informational purposes 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
- China Association of Chinese Medicine. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Common Diseases in TCM Dermatology [M]. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2012.
- Shen Dong. Common Chinese Patent Medicines in Dermatology and Their Clinical Applications [J]. Chinese Journal for Clinicians, 2010, 38(2): 65-66.
- Li Tong, Hu Xiaocheng. Observation of the efficacy of Fukang Lotion wet compresses in treating eczema and other skin diseases [J]. Hebei Journal of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 1996, 5(3): 120.
- Zou Yan. Preliminary study of the preventive effect of Er Fukang Liniment on common skin diseases in healthy children [J]. Shanghai Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2005, 39(10): 30.
- Wang Junxing, Zhang Huiqiang. Clinical observation of Qumei Decoction for treating 63 cases of pityriasis rosea [J]. China Health Standard Management, 2015(8): 75-77.
- Huang Danyun, Shi Hailan, Chen Yue. Clinical efficacy of Qingpeng Ointment in treating dermatitis and eczema skin conditions [J]. China Pharmacy, 2014(43): 4108-4110.
- Huang Jiadi. A review of the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Banlangen [J]. Chinese Journal of Modern Drug Application, 2009, 3(15): 197-198.
- Wei Wenju. Clinical observation of Lanqin Oral Liquid for treating pityriasis rosea [J]. Journal of Aerospace Medicine, 2010, 21(9): 1738-1738.