Vitiligo

Bai Bi (white psoriasis) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder in which lesions resemble pine bark, look like a rash or scabies, and shed white scales when scratched. It is characterized clinically by infiltrated erythema covered with multiple layers of bran-like scales; scraping may reveal a thin membrane and pinpoint bleeding. The condition can affect people of any age or sex, but is more common in young and middle-aged adults and is slightly more common in men than women. It has a hereditary tendency. It corresponds to psoriasis in Western medicine.

TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference

|Common Symptoms

Technical description:

Lesions are bright red; new eruptions continue to appear or spread rapidly. Restlessness and irritability; yellow urine; a red or deep-red tongue; a wiry, slippery, or rapid pulse.

In plain language:

  • The affected skin looks bright red, as if warm and shiny.
  • New skin eruptions continue to appear or spread quickly over an increasingly large area.
  • You may feel restless and become irritable easily.
  • Urine may look yellow, with the color becoming more pronounced during urination.
  • The tongue may be red or deep crimson and look bright in color.
  • The pulse may feel taut and smooth under pressure, or faster than usual.

|Treatment Approach

Technical description:

Clear heat, cool the blood, and resolve toxins.

In plain language:

  • Aims to clear excessive internal heat and cool the blood, which may help ease manifestations such as fever, facial flushing, or pinpoint skin bleeding.
  • Aims to help eliminate harmful substances from the body and ease manifestations such as a sore, swollen throat, red and swollen sores, or general discomfort.

|Related Medications

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

Technical description:

Lesions are pale red, with dry scales. Dry mouth and throat; a pale tongue with little coating or a thin white coating; a fine or fine, rapid pulse.

In plain language:

  • The affected skin looks pale red, and the scales are dry.
  • Your mouth and throat may feel dry.
  • The tongue may look pale.
  • The tongue coating may be scant or thin and white.
  • The pulse may feel fine, or fine and somewhat fast.

|Treatment Approach

Technical description:

Nourish the blood, moisten dryness, and resolve toxins.

In plain language:

  • Aims to nourish the blood and ease internal dryness, which may help relieve discomfort such as a pale complexion, dry skin, or chapped lips.
  • Aims to help eliminate harmful substances from the body and ease manifestations such as red and swollen sores, a sore and swollen throat, or skin damage.

|Related Medications

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

Technical description:

Lesions are dusky red, thickened and infiltrated, and persist for a long time. Rough, scaly skin; a dark or dusky complexion, or bluish-purple lips and nails; menstrual blood may contain clots; a purple or dusky tongue, sometimes with purple spots or patches; a choppy, or fine and moderate, pulse.

In plain language:

  • The affected skin looks dark red.
  • The lesions are thickened and infiltrated, and do not fade for a long time.
  • The skin may be dry and rough, with a fine scale-like appearance; the complexion may look dark or dusky, or the lips and nails may appear bluish-purple.
  • Menstrual bleeding may contain blood clots.
  • The tongue may look dusky purple, with purple spots or patches on its surface.
  • The pulse may feel rough and uneven, or fine and somewhat slow.

|Treatment Approach

Technical description:

Promote blood circulation, resolve blood stasis, and resolve toxins.

In plain language:

  • Aims to promote blood flow and relieve stagnation, which may help ease manifestations such as bruising, lumps, or menstrual irregularities.
  • Aims to help eliminate harmful substances from the body and ease manifestations such as red and swollen sores, a sore and swollen throat, or wounds that do not heal for a long time.

|Related Medications

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

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