Symptom families: Eczema, Dermatitis and Itchy Conditions of the Skin, Skin Inflammation & Swelling
Parent symptom: Skin Inflammation
Did you mean? Allergic Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a form of skin inflammation that arises when the skin comes into contact with certain substances. It manifests as red, itchy, and sometimes painful rashes, typically appearing on the areas of skin exposed to the irritant or allergen.
Contact dermatitis can be categorized into two types: allergic contact dermatitis, triggered by an immune reaction to a substance, and irritant contact dermatitis, caused by direct damage to the skin by harsh substances. Symptoms and severity can vary, depending on the causative agent and individual sensitivity.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets contact dermatitis as a manifestation of internal disharmony and imbalance in the body. Unlike Western medicine, which focuses on the external allergens or irritants, TCM delves into the underlying patterns of disharmony that lead to skin reactions.
It emphasizes the importance of identifying and addressing the root causes, whether they are related to imbalances in Qi (vital energy), Blood, Yin and Yang, or disruptions in organ systems. Treatment in TCM is holistic, aiming to restore the body's natural balance and heal the skin from within.
In TCM, contact dermatitis is often linked to two primary patterns: Blood Deficiency and Damp-Heat. Blood Deficiency with External Wind indicates a weakness in the body's defensive Qi, making the skin vulnerable to external factors. Symptoms include dry, itchy skin and a propensity for eczema. To address this, TCM practitioners might recommend formulas that nourish the blood and fend off external irritants.
On the other hand, Damp-Heat in the Skin manifests as red, inflamed, and weepy lesions, often accompanied by intense itching. This pattern indicates an internal accumulation of dampness and heat, often treated with formulas that clear heat and dry dampness.
Explore below more details about what might cause Contact dermatitis according to TCM.
Blood Deficiency in TCM is like when your body's tank runs low on the vital energy that blood provides. It's not exactly the same as anemia in modern medicine, which is about having too few red blood cells. Instead, Blood Deficiency in TCM is about your body not having enough of the life-giving qualities that blood brings, like nourishment and moisture. This can make you feel tired, look pale, and even feel dizzy or have blurry vision. It's like a garden not getting enough water to stay lush and vibrant. TCM sees this as an imbalance where the body isn't being nourished as it should be, impacting overall health and well-being.... see more
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Blood Deficiency with External Wind | Contact dermatitis, Eczema, Red skin eruptions, Urticaria, Neurodermatitis, Ichthyosis, Psoriasis, Measles, Itchy skin, Hair loss, Carbuncles, Boils, Drug rash, Skin dryness, Itching worsen at nights, Flaking skin... see more | Dang Gui Yin Zi |
In TCM "Wind" is a concept that represents a pattern of disharmony, often characterized by its sudden and unpredictable nature, much like a gusty wind changing direction without warning. This pattern is associated with symptoms that come and go quickly or move around the body, such as itching, tremors, or even certain types of pain. Wind is considered to be a primary cause of illnesses that have these rapidly changing characteristics. In TCM, external Wind often refers to illnesses that start suddenly, like the common cold, believed to be caused by external pathogenic factors like climatic changes. On the other hand, internal Wind can be linked to internal imbalances and can manifest in conditions like dizziness or spasms. ... see more
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Blood Deficiency with External Wind | Contact dermatitis, Eczema, Red skin eruptions, Urticaria, Neurodermatitis, Ichthyosis, Psoriasis, Measles, Itchy skin, Hair loss, Carbuncles, Boils, Drug rash, Skin dryness, Itching worsen at nights, Flaking skin... see more | Dang Gui Yin Zi |
For managing contact dermatitis, TCM utilizes a variety of formulas and herbs tailored to the underlying disharmony. In cases of Blood Deficiency with External Wind, the Dang Gui Yin Zi formula, enriched with Japanese catnip, is commonly used. This formula works to nourish the Blood and dispel Wind, addressing the root cause of skin sensitivity.
The treatments are holistic, considering the individual's entire health profile to ensure a balanced and effective approach to healing.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address contact dermatitis, organized by cause and by formula type.
Suitable for Blood Deficiency patterns that may cause contact dermatitis, such as Blood Deficiency with External Wind
Learn moreSuitable for Wind patterns that may cause contact dermatitis, such as Blood Deficiency with External Wind
Learn moreThese formulas are suitable for some contact dermatitis-causing patterns like Blood Deficiency with External Wind.
One such formula is Dang Gui Yin Zi, with japanese catnip as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
---|---|
Dang Gui Yin Zi | Blood Deficiency with External Wind |
Xiao Feng San | Not applicable |
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address contact dermatitis, organized by herb category.
Contact dermatitis can be treated by these herbs when there is a need to dispel external cold and warm the body, especially in cases where there is insufficient Yang energy internally.
One such herb is Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie), a key herb in some formulas recommended for contact dermatitis, like Dang Gui Yin Zi.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
---|---|
Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie) | Dang Gui Yin Zi | Xiao Feng San |
Saposhnikovia Roots (Fang Feng) | Dang Gui Yin Zi | Xiao Feng San |
Contact dermatitis can be treated by these herbs when the body needs to harmonize with external environmental changes, particularly when there's a need to expel pathogenic factors like wind or cold without overly cooling the body.
One such herb is Greater Burdock Fruits (Niu Bang Zi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for contact dermatitis, like Xiao Feng San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
---|---|
Greater Burdock Fruits (Niu Bang Zi) | Xiao Feng San |
Cicada Sloughs (Chan Tui) | Xiao Feng San |