Chills With Warm Skinaccording to TCM

What is Chills with Warm Skin?

Chills with warm skin refers to a condition where an individual experiences a sensation of coldness or shivering, while the skin feels warm to the touch. This paradoxical symptom can be confusing, as it combines the discomfort of feeling cold with the physical warmth of the skin. It is often associated with infections or inflammatory responses in the body, where the body’s immune system is actively fighting off pathogens. This symptom is a specific manifestation of chills, distinguished by the presence of warm skin.

How Does TCM View Chills with Warm Skin?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), chills with warm skin is viewed through the lens of internal imbalances. TCM practitioners believe that symptoms like these arise from various patterns of disharmony within the body. Unlike the Western medical perspective, which may attribute this symptom to specific pathogens or external factors, TCM focuses on the disruption of the body’s Qi (vital energy), Blood, and the balance between Yin and Yang. Identifying the correct pattern is crucial for effective treatment, as the underlying cause can vary significantly from one individual to another.

Root Causes of Chills With Warm Skin in TCM

In TCM, chills with warm skin can be attributed to different patterns of disharmony. One common cause is Exterior Cold with Interior Dampness in Summer. This pattern is characterized by symptoms such as chills with skin that is warm to the touch, lack of sweating, a heavy sensation in the head, headaches, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and a tight feeling in the chest and stomach. The interaction of external cold and internal dampness disrupts the body’s ability to regulate temperature, resulting in the simultaneous sensations of cold and warmth.

Explore below more details about what might cause Chills with warm skin according to TCM.

Cold

In TCM "Cold" as a pattern of disharmony refers to a specific type of imbalance within the body's systems, often linked to a deficiency or weakness. It's not about feeling physically cold or having a common cold, but rather a metaphorical description of certain symptoms and underlying conditions. When a TCM practitioner says someone suffers from "Cold," it usually implies that the body's Yang energy, which is warm and active, is insufficient or overpowered by Yin energy, which is cool and passive. Symptoms of Cold in TCM can include a general feeling of coldness, cold limbs, pale complexion, low energy, slow metabolism, and a preference for warmth. ... see more

Cold Patterns That Can Lead to Chills With Warm Skin

Pattern Name	Relevant Symptoms	Relevant Formulas
Exterior Cold with Interior Dampness in Summer	Chills with skin that is warm to the touch, Chills with warm skin, Lack of sweating, Heavy sensation in the head, Headaches, Abdominal pain, Vomit, Diarrhea, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Fatigued extremities, Nausea... see more	Xiang Ru San

Dampness

"Dampness" in TCM is a concept that describes a pattern of disharmony where the body accumulates excess moisture. Imagine the heavy, sticky feeling you get on a very humid day; that's similar to what dampness feels like internally. It can manifest as a sense of heaviness, bloating, sluggishness, or even a foggy mind. This condition is often thought to arise from environmental factors like living in a damp place, dietary habits that promote moisture in the body, or internal imbalances that hinder the body's ability to process fluids properly. In TCM, dampness can obstruct the normal flow of energy and fluids in the body, leading to various symptoms.... see more

Dampness Patterns That Can Lead to Chills With Warm Skin

Pattern Name	Relevant Symptoms	Relevant Formulas
Exterior Cold with Interior Dampness in Summer	Chills with skin that is warm to the touch, Chills with warm skin, Lack of sweating, Heavy sensation in the head, Headaches, Abdominal pain, Vomit, Diarrhea, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Fatigued extremities, Nausea... see more	Xiang Ru San

TCM Herbal Formulas for Chills With Warm Skin

To treat chills with warm skin, TCM practitioners prescribe herbal formulas tailored to the identified pattern of disharmony. For the pattern of Exterior Cold with Interior Dampness in Summer, the formula Xiang Ru San is often recommended. This formula includes Vietnamese balm (Xiang Ru) as a key herb, which belongs to the category of Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior. It works to dispel Summer-Heat, resolve exterior conditions, and alleviate symptoms by addressing both the external Cold and internal Dampness.

Another effective formula for this pattern is Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, which also addresses Dampness and Cold. This formula uses Patchouli (Huo Xiang) as a main ingredient to transform Dampness and release the Exterior. By selecting the appropriate herbal formulas based on the specific pattern of disharmony, TCM aims to restore balance within the body and resolve the conflicting sensations of chills and warm skin.

See more details below about Xiang Ru San, a herbal formula used to address chills with warm skin.

Top Formula for Cold:
Xiang Ru San

Suitable for Cold patterns that may cause chills with warm skin, such as Exterior Cold with Interior Dampness in Summer

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Top Formula for Dampness:
Xiang Ru San

Suitable for Dampness patterns that may cause chills with warm skin, such as Exterior Cold with Interior Dampness in Summer

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TCM Herbs for Chills With Warm Skin

See more details below about Vietnamese Balm (Xiang Ru), a herb used to address chills with warm skin.