Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory, itchy, chronic, and relapsing skin disease. It is more common in children but can also occur in adults, and is often seen in people with a personal or family history of atopic diseases (asthma and/or allergic rhinitis).In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), atopic dermatitis falls into categories such as Siwan…
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…
Erythema nodosum (EN) is a painful nodular vasculitis syndrome that occurs most commonly in young women. It is a reactive inflammatory condition affecting the blood vessels of the dermis and the subcutaneous fat, and it commonly appears on the fronts of the lower legs as red or purplish-red nodules. It is a non-suppurative skin condition…
Psoriasis vulgaris is a common, relapsing chronic inflammatory skin disease caused by various internal and external factors. It is characterized by red inflammatory papules, papulosquamous lesions, and plaques of varying sizes covered with multiple layers of silvery-white scales. Scraping off the scales may reveal a shiny, thin membrane, with pinpoint bleeding sometimes visible beneath it.In…
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.”…
Neurodermatitis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder involving cutaneous nerve function. It is characterized by intermittent, intense itching and lichenification of the skin. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is known as niupixuan (“ox-hide psoriasis”) or shelingchuang. Neurodermatitis often affects areas prone to friction, such as the neck. Lesions typically consist of round or…
Pruritus is a skin condition characterized primarily by itching without obvious primary skin lesions. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is called “wind itching.” Historical TCM texts used different names according to the type of skin lesion and the affected area, such as “itching wind” and “genital itching”; these are now collectively referred to as…
Flat warts are benign growths that develop on the surface of the skin. They are usually found on the face, backs of the hands, and arms, and often appear in linear arrangements. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), they are called bian hou (flat warts). The Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot), in the “Jing Mai” (Meridians) chapter,…
Melasma (chloasma) is a pigmentary skin disorder that occurs most commonly on the face of women in early or middle adulthood. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) literature, melasma has also been referred to as “dark facial pigmentation,” “liver-related facial pigmentation,” “facial dust,” and “pregnancy spots.” When attributed to liver disease, it is also called “liver…
Strangury syndrome refers to a group of disorders attributed to dietary factors, overexertion, or invasion by damp-heat. Its main underlying patterns are kidney deficiency, damp-heat in the urinary bladder, and impaired qi transformation. It is characterized clinically by frequent, urgent urination; dribbling; painful, difficult urination; lower abdominal tightness; and pain radiating to the lower back…
