Skin Inflammationaccording to TCM

What is Skin Inflammation?

Skin inflammation is a medical condition characterized by redness, swelling, and often pain in the skin. This condition can arise from various factors, including allergic reactions, infections, or chronic diseases. Sub-symptoms of skin inflammation include Atopic Dermatitis, Allergic dermatitis, and Contact Dermatitis, each presenting unique characteristics.

Skin inflammation is not only a surface issue but can be indicative of underlying health problems. It's crucial to understand the cause of skin inflammation to effectively treat it, as it's a specific manifestation of the broader category of inflammation.

How Does TCM View Skin Inflammation?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets skin inflammation as a sign of imbalance within the body's systems. Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on treating the symptoms directly, TCM seeks to understand and rectify the root cause of the imbalance.

In TCM, skin inflammation is typically seen as a manifestation of disharmony in the body's Qi (energy), Yin, Yang, and Blood. This holistic approach involves assessing the entire individual, including their emotional and physical state, to tailor a treatment that restores balance and addresses the specific type of disharmony causing the inflammation.

Root Causes of Skin Inflammation in TCM

In TCM, the causes of skin inflammation are often linked to external factors like Wind, Cold, Heat, and Dampness, or internal factors such as emotional distress or dietary imbalances. For instance, Wind-Cold patterns can manifest as skin inflammation with symptoms like itching and dryness, indicating an external invasion of Cold.

Another common cause is Heat, either from external sources or internal factors like emotional stress or dietary habits, leading to red, inflamed, and painful skin. By identifying these patterns, TCM practitioners aim to address the underlying imbalances through tailored treatments, offering a comprehensive approach to managing skin inflammation.

Explore below more details about what might cause Skin inflammation according to TCM.

  • By Syndrome
  • Blood Deficiency
  • Wind
Detailed description of the cause

Blood Deficiency

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

Blood Deficiency Patterns That Can Lead to Skin Inflammation

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
Detailed description of the cause

Wind

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

Wind Patterns That Can Lead to Skin Inflammation

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

TCM Herbal Formulas for Skin Inflammation

TCM employs a variety of herbal formulas to address the specific patterns causing skin inflammation. For Wind-Cold patterns, formulas like Jing Fang Bai Du San with Japanese catnip (Jing Jie) are used for their ability to expel Cold and release the exterior.

In cases of Qi-level Heat causing inflammation, Bai Hu Tang with Gypsum (Shi Gao) is often prescribed to clear Heat and nourish fluids. For more complex conditions like Wind-Cold-Damp with Qi Deficiency, Ren Shen Bai Du San with Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo) is selected to strengthen Qi and dispel the pathogenic factors. Each formula is chosen based on the unique pattern of disharmony in the individual, illustrating TCM's personalized approach to treatment.

Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address skin inflammation, organized by cause and by formula type.

  • By Cause
  • By Formula Type
  • Blood Deficiency
  • Wind
  • External formulas for external disorders
  • Formulas that dredge and disperse external wind
  • Formulas that clear qi-level heat
  • Formulas that clear wind-Cold
  • Formulas that clear wind-Heat
  • Formulas that clear heat and expel dampness

All "formulas that dredge and disperse external wind" recommended for skin inflammation

Formula Patterns Suitable For (if applicable)
Dang Gui Yin Zi Blood Deficiency with External Wind
Xiao Feng San Not applicable

All "external formulas for external disorders" recommended for skin inflammation

Formula Patterns Suitable For (if applicable)
Jing Fang Bai Du San Not applicable
Ren Shen Bai Du San Not applicable
Ku Shen Tang Not applicable

TCM Herbs for Skin Inflammation

Explore below some TCM herbs used to address skin inflammation, organized by herb category.

  • By Herb Category
  • Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
  • Herbs that cool the blood
  • Cool/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
  • Herbs that stabilize and bind
  • Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
  • Herbs that dispel wind and dampness
  • Herbs that clear heat and relieve toxicity
  • Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
  • Herbs that drain dampness

"Herbs that cool the Blood" recommended for skin inflammation

Herb Formulas they belong to (if applicable)
Hibiscus Leaves (Fu Rong Ye) Not applicable
Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) Not applicable

"Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior" recommended for skin inflammation

Herb Formulas they belong to (if applicable)
Greater Burdock Fruits (Niu Bang Zi) Xiao Feng San
Cicada Sloughs (Chan Tui) Xiao Feng San