Eczemaaccording to TCM
Symptom families: Dermatological Conditions & Symptoms, Eczema, Dermatitis and Itchy Conditions of the Skin, Skin Inflammation & Swelling
Sub-symptom(s): Periaural Eczema Scrotum Eczema Ear Eczema Hand Eczema Vulvar Eczema
Did you mean? Atopic Dermatitis
What is Eczema?
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition characterized by itchy, inflamed, and sometimes blistering and weeping patches of skin. It can vary in severity, affecting individuals differently, with symptoms ranging from mild dryness and redness to severe itching and inflammation that can lead to discomfort and sleep disturbances. Eczema is often a chronic condition and can be exacerbated by various triggers, including environmental factors, stress, and allergens.
How does TCM view Eczema?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a unique perspective on eczema, contrasting with Western medicine's focus on external triggers and immune responses. TCM sees eczema as a manifestation of internal imbalances in the body, particularly involving the Liver, Spleen, and Lung systems.
It emphasizes that the root causes of eczema are as crucial as the visible symptoms, and it focuses on restoring the body's overall balance to treat the condition. TCM practitioners identify specific patterns of disharmony within the body, determining treatment based on these patterns.
Root Causes of Eczema in TCM
In TCM, several underlying patterns are recognized as contributing to eczema. Three common categories of pattern include Heat, Blood Deficiency, and Cold. Heat in the Blood can lead to symptoms like red skin eruptions and a feeling of heat, often treated with formulations like Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, which cools the Blood.
Blood Deficiency, especially when combined with External Wind, presents with itchy skin and red eruptions, addressed with formulas like Dang Gui Yin Zi that nourish the blood and dispel wind.
Damp-Cold patterns, characterized by symptoms like cold extremities and abdominal pain, are treated with formulas like Wei Ling Tang, which expel dampness. These patterns illustrate the TCM approach of treating eczema based on the individual's specific symptoms and overall health condition.
Explore below more details about what might cause Eczema according to TCM.
- By Syndrome
- By Organ
- Heat
- Dampness
- Blood Deficiency
- View More Causes
Heat
In TCM "Heat" signifies an excess of Yang energy, leading to an imbalance where heat predominates over the body's cool Yin aspects. This condition is metaphorically akin to an internal over-heating. Symptoms indicative of Heat can include feelings of warmth, fever, sweating, irritability, red face, thirst with a preference for cold drinks, and a rapid pulse. The tongue may appear red with a yellow coating. Unlike the common interpretation of heat in terms of temperature, in TCM, it represents a state of hyperactivity or inflammation in the body.... see more
Heat Patterns That Can Lead to Eczema
Common Symptoms: Fever Dark Urine Red Skin Eruptions Thirst Constipation Feeling Of Heat Boils Abdominal Pain
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Heat in the Blood | Eczema, Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia, Hematuria, Vomiting blood, Cough of blood, Nosebleeds, Excessive menstruation... see more | Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang | Gu Jing Wan | Shi Hui San | Bai He Di Huang Tang | Hua Ban Tang | Qing Ying Tang | Qing Re Gu Jing Tang |
| Toxic-Heat | Eczema, Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule, Red skin eruptions, Sore throat, Perineum swollen, Prostate swollen, Testicular swelling, Mouth ulcers, Tonsil swelling... see more | Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang | Qing Ying Tang | Long Dan Xie Gan Tang | Shi Wei Bai Du San | Yin Qiao San | Sang Ju Yin | Bai Hu Tang | Huang Lian Jie Du Tang | Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin | Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan | San Zhong Kui Jian Tang | Zi Dang Gao | Er Qing Gao | Bing Peng San | Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin | Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan |
| Toxic-Heat Stagnation | Eczema, Pustule, Carbuncles, Fever, Red skin eruptions, Sore throat, Throat pain, Perineum swollen, Prostate swollen, Testicular swelling, Mouth ulcers, Tonsil swelling... see more | Huang Lian Jie Du Tang | Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin |
| Damp-Heat in the Liver | Vulvar eczema, Hypochondrial fullness and distention with pain alleviated by warmth, Abdominal fullness, Lower abdominal fullness, Bitter taste in the mouth, Sticky taste in the mouth, Loss of appetite, Nausea, Feeling of heaviness, Yellow vaginal discharge, Vaginal itching, Vulvar sores, Bleeding between periods, Midcycle bleeding pain, Red and swollen scrotum, Red and swelling genital, Papules, Itchy vesicular rashes, Urinary dysfunction, Urinary burning, Dark urine... see more | Long Dan Xie Gan Tang | Yin Chen Hao Tang |
TCM Herbal Formulas for Eczema
TCM's approach to treating eczema involves a variety of herbal formulas, each tailored to the patient's unique pattern of disharmony. For Heat in the Blood, Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, with key ingredients like Water Buffalo Horns, is used to clear heat and cool the blood.
In cases of Blood Deficiency with External Wind, Dang Gui Yin Zi, which includes Japanese Catnip, is prescribed to nourish the blood and clear wind. For Damp-Cold patterns, Wei Ling Tang, featuring Water plantain, helps to expel dampness and regulate the body's functions. These herbal treatments reflect TCM's holistic approach, focusing on restoring balance and harmony within the body.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address eczema, organized by cause and by formula type.
- By Cause
- By Formula Type
- Heat
- Dampness
- Blood Deficiency
- View More Causes
Top Formula for Heat:
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Suitable for Heat patterns that may cause eczema, such as Heat in the Blood or Toxic-Heat
Learn moreAll Formulas Recommended for Eczema Caused by Heat
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For |
|---|---|
| Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang | Heat in the Blood, Toxic-Heat |
| Qing Ying Tang | Heat in the Blood, Toxic-Heat |
| Long Dan Xie Gan Tang | Toxic-Heat, Damp-Heat in the Liver |
| Huang Lian Jie Du Tang | Toxic-Heat, Toxic-Heat Stagnation |
| Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin | Toxic-Heat, Toxic-Heat Stagnation |
| Gu Jing Wan | Heat in the Blood |
| Shi Hui San | Heat in the Blood |
| Bai He Di Huang Tang | Heat in the Blood |
| Hua Ban Tang | Heat in the Blood |
| Qing Re Gu Jing Tang | Heat in the Blood |
| Shi Wei Bai Du San | Toxic-Heat |
| Yin Qiao San | Toxic-Heat |
| Sang Ju Yin | Toxic-Heat |
| Bai Hu Tang | Toxic-Heat |
| Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan | Toxic-Heat |
| San Zhong Kui Jian Tang | Toxic-Heat |
| Zi Dang Gao | Toxic-Heat |
| Er Qing Gao | Toxic-Heat |
| Bing Peng San | Toxic-Heat |
| Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin | Toxic-Heat |
| Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan | Toxic-Heat |
| Yin Chen Hao Tang | Damp-Heat in the Liver |
Acupoints for Eczema
TCM also incorporates acupuncture as a treatment for eczema. Key acupoints include Huantiao GB-30 on the Gall Bladder Channel, which helps remove obstructions and resolve dampness and wind, and Quchi LI-11 on the Large Intestine Channel, effective for clearing heat, cooling blood, and resolving dampness.
Additionally, Xuehai SP-10 on the Spleen Channel is used to cool and invigorate the blood, which can be beneficial for the skin. These acupoints are selected based on their ability to address the specific patterns of disharmony associated with eczema, demonstrating TCM's comprehensive approach to treatment.
Explore below some acupoints used to address eczema, organized by meridian.
- By Meridian
- Spleen Channel
- Gall Bladder Channel
- Large Intestine Channel
Xuehai SP-10
When knee is flexed, Xuehai SP-10 is 2 cun above the medial upper border of the patella, in a depression on the vastus medialis muscle.
