Atopic Dermatitis

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 Feng, Nai Xuan, and Tai Lian Chuang.

TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference

|Common Symptoms

Clinical Description:

Severe itching, restlessness, poor sleep, and poor appetite; dry mouth, sometimes with constipation and scant, dark urine. Redness and swelling may occur on the neck, in the elbow or knee creases, or on the trunk, sometimes with papules, vesicles, or blisters, and possibly erosions with oozing. The tongue is pale with a red tip, and the pulse may be somewhat rapid.

In Plain Language:

  • The skin is very itchy, with restlessness, poor sleep, and a reduced appetite.
  • The mouth is dry; constipation or scant, yellowish urine may occur.
  • Redness and swelling may appear on the neck, in the elbow or knee creases, or on the trunk. Bumps or small blisters may develop, or the skin may break down, erode, and ooze.
  • The tongue appears pale, with a red tip.
  • The pulse may be somewhat rapid.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Strengthen the Spleen and clear Heart fire

In Plain Language:

  • Support healthy Spleen function to nourish the body’s vital energy, potentially easing symptoms such as poor appetite, fatigue, or bloating with loose stools.
  • Help clear Heart fire, potentially easing restlessness, insomnia, mouth ulcers, or palpitations.

|Related Products

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:

Itching, a sallow complexion, fatigue and weakness, poor appetite, a bland taste in the mouth without thirst, and loose stools. Red patches or papules may appear on the limbs or other areas, sometimes with mild thickening; the rash may be dull in color and ooze slightly after scratching. The tongue is pale with a thin white or greasy coating; the pulse is moderate, or the infant’s fingertip vein pattern is pale.

In Plain Language:

  • The skin is itchy, and there may be a repeated urge to scratch.
  • The complexion looks yellowish and dull, with little luster.
  • Fatigue and weakness may make it difficult to feel energetic.
  • There may be a poor appetite or little desire to eat.
  • The mouth may taste bland, with little thirst.
  • Stools may be loose, with more frequent bowel movements.
  • Red patches or papules may appear on the limbs or other areas, sometimes with mild thickening. The rash may look dull and ooze slightly after scratching.
  • The tongue may look pale, with a thin white or greasy coating.
  • The pulse may be moderate, or the infant’s fingertip vein pattern may appear pale.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Strengthen the Spleen and drain dampness

In Plain Language:

  • Support Spleen and Stomach function and their role in digestion, potentially easing symptoms such as poor appetite, fatigue, or bloating with loose stools.
  • Help dispel dampness, potentially easing a heavy feeling in the body, difficulty urinating, or swelling in the lower limbs.

|Related Products

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.

Shen Ling Bai Zhu San

|Common Symptoms

Clinical Description:

Dry skin, with rough, thickened lesions or dry papules on the limbs or neck; the lesions may be dark or show hyperpigmentation. Itching is prominent. Poor appetite or bloating and poor sleep may occur, while stools are not dry. The tongue is somewhat pale, and the pulse is thready or deep and moderate.

In Plain Language:

  • The skin is dry, with rough, thickened lesions or small dry bumps on the limbs or neck; the color may look dull or show darkened areas.
  • Itching is prominent, with a frequent urge to scratch.
  • There may be a poor appetite or bloating, poor sleep, and stools that are not hard or dry.
  • The tongue may appear pale, and the pulse may be thready or feel deep and somewhat slow.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical Description:

Nourish the Blood and dispel Wind

In Plain Language:

  • Help nourish the Blood, potentially easing symptoms such as a pale complexion, dizziness, palpitations, or dry skin.
  • Help dispel Wind, potentially easing numbness in the limbs, dizziness, or itchy skin.

|Related Products

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.

References

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  2. Gu Heng，Yan Yan. Epidemiological survey of atopic dermatitis in China[J]. Chinese Journal of Dermatology，2003，33(6)：379-382.
  3. Gu Heng，You Liping，Liu Yongsheng，et al. A survey of atopic dermatitis among preschool children in 10 cities in China[J]. Chinese Journal of Dermatology，2004，37(1)：29-31.
  4. Feng Xu，Shuxian Yan，Fei Li，et al. Prevalence of Childhood Atopic Dermatitis：An Urbanand Rural Community-Based Study in Shanghai，China[J]. PLoS One，2012，7(5)：e36174.
  5. K yerich，N ovak. Immunology of atopic eczema：overcoming the Th1/Th2 paradigm[J]. Allergy，2013，68(8)：974-982.
  6. Immunology Group of the Chinese Society of Dermatology, Chinese Medical Association, and Atopic Dermatitis Collaborative Research Center. Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis (2014 Edition)[J]. Chinese Journal of Dermatology，2014，47(7)：511-514.
  7. Dermatology Committee of the China Association of Chinese Medicine. Expert consensus on a TCM diagnosis and treatment plan for atopic dermatitis[Z]. 2013，12(1)：60-61.
  8. Chen Dacan，Liu Chi. Theoretical and practical considerations of constitutional factors and heart-spleen pathogenesis in atopic dermatitis[J]. New Chinese Medicine，2009，41(8)：7-8.
  9. Hanifin JM，Rajka G. Diagnostic features of atopic dermatitis[J]. Acta Derm Venereol（Stockh），1980(92)：44-47.
  10. Chen Dacan，Fan Ruiqiang. Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Specialized Diseases in Dermatology and Venereology Using Traditional Chinese Medicine[M]. 3rd ed. Beijing：People’s Medical Publishing House，2013：67-100.