Skin Rashesaccording to TCM
*redirected from Skin eruptions
What is Skin Rashes?
Skin rashes encompass a range of conditions where areas of the skin become red, inflamed, and often itchy. They can manifest as itchy rashes, winter rash, macular rash, and may worsen at night.
These rashes can vary in appearance – from small, discrete bumps to extensive areas of red, swollen skin. While some rashes are benign and transient, others may indicate underlying health issues. They can be caused by various factors, including allergies, infections, autoimmune disorders, or environmental factors, making accurate diagnosis important for effective treatment.
How does TCM view Skin Rashes?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a unique perspective on skin rashes, diverging from Western medicine's focus on external causes. TCM views skin rashes as external manifestations of internal imbalances within the body.
According to TCM principles, the condition of the skin is closely related to the balance of Qi (energy) and Blood within the body, as well as the harmonious function of internal organs. TCM practitioners emphasize identifying and treating the underlying disharmony rather than just alleviating the surface symptoms.
Root Causes of Skin Rashes in TCM
In TCM, skin rashes are often associated with the pattern of Blood Deficiency with External Wind. This pattern is characterized by a deficiency in Blood, leading to inadequate nourishment of the skin, combined with the invasion of External Wind, which aggravates the skin condition.
Symptoms typically include dry, itchy rashes that may appear and disappear suddenly. The concept of Blood Deficiency in TCM encompasses more than just the physical aspect of blood; it also refers to the vital substances that nourish and moisten the body, including the skin. When these substances are deficient, and External Wind invades, skin rashes are likely to occur.
Explore below more details about what might cause Skin rashes according to TCM.
- By Syndrome
- By Organ
- Dampness
- Heat
- Blood Deficiency
- View More Causes
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 Skin Rashes
Common Symptoms: Lack Of Appetite Feeling Of Heaviness Bitter Taste In The Mouth Dry Mouth Without Desire To Drink Nausea Or Vomiting Malodorous Diarrhea Anal Burning Feeling Of Heat
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Damp-Heat invading the Spleen | Itchy skin and skin eruptions, Lack of appetite, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea or vomiting, Malodorous diarrhea, Anal burning, Feeling of heat, Scanty and dark urine, Low grade fever, Dull headache, Dull yellow complexion, Yellow sclera, Oily sweat, Itchy rashes, Bitter taste in the mouth, Upper abdominal fullness, Upper abdominal pain... see more | Lian Po Yin |
| Damp-Heat in the Liver | Vesicular skin rashes and itching, Hypochondrial fullness and distention with pain alleviated by warmth, Abdominal fullness, Lower abdominal fullness, Bitter taste in the mouth, Sticky taste in the mouth, Lack of appetite, Nausea, Feeling of heaviness, Yellow vaginal discharge, Vaginal itching, Vulvar eczema, 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 Skin Rashes
In treating skin rashes within the context of Blood Deficiency with External Wind, TCM relies on specific herbal formulas to nourish Blood and dispel Wind. A prominent formula used in such cases is Dang Gui Yin Zi.
This formula contains Japanese catnip (Jing Jie) and other herbs that work synergistically to address the root causes of the rashes. Jing Jie is particularly effective in releasing the exterior and dispelling Wind, which is crucial in alleviating itchiness and inflammation associated with rashes. By addressing both the Blood Deficiency and the External Wind, this formula helps restore the skin's health and balance from within.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address skin rashes, organized by cause and by formula type.
- By Cause
- By Formula Type
- Dampness
- Heat
- Blood Deficiency
- View More Causes
Top Formula for Dampness:
Lian Po Yin
Suitable for Dampness patterns that may cause skin rashes, such as Damp-Heat invading the Spleen
Learn moreAll Formulas Recommended for Skin Rashes Caused by Dampness
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For |
|---|---|
| Lian Po Yin | Damp-Heat invading the Spleen |
| Long Dan Xie Gan Tang | Damp-Heat in the Liver |
| Yin Chen Hao Tang | Damp-Heat in the Liver |
Acupoints for Skin Rashes
Explore below some acupoints used to address skin rashes, organized by meridian.
- By Meridian
- Large Intestine Channel
- Extra Points: Lower Extremities (EX-LE)
Quchi LI-11
When the elbow is flexed, Quchi LI-11 is in the depression at the lateral end of the cubital crease, midway between Chize LU-5 and the lateral epicondyle of the humerus.
