Itchy Faceaccording to TCM

What is Itchy Face?

Itchy face, also known as face itching or facial itching, refers to a persistent sensation that provokes a desire to scratch the skin on the face. This condition can result from various factors, including allergies, irritants, skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, or underlying systemic issues such as liver or kidney problems.

Symptoms may include redness, dryness, and an uncomfortable tingling sensation. Itchy face can range from a mild annoyance to a severe condition that significantly affects daily life and requires medical attention to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.

How Does TCM View Itchy Face?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), itchy face is understood through the lens of patterns of disharmony, which consider the imbalances in the body's Qi, Blood, and other vital substances. Unlike Western medicine, TCM emphasizes identifying these underlying patterns before treatment. Itchy face can result from various patterns, such as Heat in the head, Interior Wind, and Obstruction of the Channel.

Heat in the head can cause dryness and itching, as the excessive heat disrupts the skin's normal function. Interior Wind, often linked to imbalances in the Liver, can lead to sudden and severe itching. Obstruction of the Channel, caused by blockages in the flow of Qi and Blood, can also result in persistent itching and discomfort. Identifying the correct pattern is crucial for effective treatment and relief.

Acupoints for Itchy Face

In TCM, specific acupoints are used to treat itchy face by addressing the underlying patterns of disharmony. In the Triple Burner Channel, acupoints such as Luxi TB-19 and Zhongzhu TB-3 are commonly recommended. Luxi TB-19, located posterior to the ear, helps relieve tetany and benefits the ears, while Zhongzhu TB-3, found between the 4th and 5th metacarpal bones, clears Heat in the head, benefits the ear, and removes obstructions from the channel.

In the Large Intestine Channel, Yingxiang LI-20, located in the nasolabial groove at the level of the midpoint of the lateral border of ala nasi, is effective in expelling Exterior Wind, removing obstructions from the channel, and opening the nose. By stimulating these acupoints, TCM practitioners aim to reduce itching and restore balance within the body's energy pathways, providing relief from the immediate symptoms while addressing the root causes of the condition.

Explore below some acupoints used to address itchy face, organized by meridian.

Zhongzhu TB-3

When the hand is placed with the palm facing downward, Zhongzhu TB-3 is on the hand dorsum between the 4th and 5th metacarpal bones, in the depression proximal to the metacarpophalangeal joints, at the junction between the heads and shaft of the two metacarpal bones.

Luxi TB-19

Posterior to the ear, at the junction of the upper and middle third of the curve formed by Yifeng ST-17 and Jiaosun ST-20 behind the helix.

Yingxiang LI-20

In the nasolabrial groove, at the level of the midpoint of the lateral border of ala nasi.