Eczema and Chinese Medicine(herbs)

Eczema and Chinese Medicine(herbs)

What is Eczema?

Eczema is a term that describes an inflammatory skin condition with itchy, red and inflamed skin that can ooze fluid and develop crusting of the skin. Eczema and atopic dermatitis are terms that are often interchanged.

Eczema is most often seen in people with a family history of “atopic conditions” including eczema, asthma, hayfever. It is also quite common for eczema sufferers to also have asthma and/or hayfever. Eczema is not contagious.

What causes eczema?

Eczema is caused by an over-active immune system and is believed to be inherited. Some people have eczema in response to certain allergens including dust mites, pollens, certain foods, cosmetics and medications.

Eczema is often aggravated by wearing woolen or fibrous clothing on the skin, overheating, allowing the skin to become too dry, exposure to allergens including cat and dog fur. Eczema will often worsen during periods of stress, and from exposure to cigarette smoke.

Secondary infections can worsen eczema, bacterial infections or herpes virus are most commonly involved.

What does Chinese Medicine say about Eczema?

As with all treatment approaches with Chinese Medicine, we always look at the full picture of each client to see exactly how the disharmony in their body is manifesting in order to understand how illness has developed. Only then can you truly receive a treatment that will address the underlying cause of your condition. There are some common factors that appear in skin conditions however.

In Chinese Medicine theory, it is the Metal element and the Lungs that govern the skin – therefore when something goes wrong with the skin as it does with eczema, we first look at the health of the metal and lung energy.

Signs that the functioning of the lung (lung qi) is weakened are: frequent colds and flu, fatigue, shortness of breath/frequent sighing, dry skin, chronic cough, pale face, allergies.

Chinese Medicine aims to strengthen the Metal and Lung energy as part of a treatment protocol for addressing the underlying cause of eczema.

How does Chinese Medicine treat Eczema?

Chinese Medicine sees all skin conditions as reflecting the internal environment of the body. So, all the creams and lotions in the world can be used on the outside but they’re not necessarily addressing the internal disharmony that is creating the skin problem in the first place.

Chinese Herbal Medicine and/or Food Therapy will be used to help:

clear any heat that may be present: reduce redness, inflammation and itching in the skin.
moisten dryness: to promote moistening of the skin and to promote repair of the affected areas.
strengthen qi and nourish yin: to regulate proper immune function and reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks. In some cases, full remission is possible.
Acupuncture will help with clearing heat and regulating qi function and is best employed in conjunction with herbal medicine and/or dietary changes.

Chinese Medicine Diagnosis of Eczema

a) wind-heat or wind-damp heat (usually in acute stages only, for first 2-3 weeks. intense itching, fluid filled vesicles or swelling)
b) heat in the blood – very red and sore skin, possibly associated with feeling of heat, irritability. this type of eczema often worsens in summer and improves in winter.
c) blood dryness – less red than other types of eczema, skin is dry and flaky and cracks easily. often accompanies by cracked or peeling nails, dry brittle hair, sleep or mood disturbances. this type of eczema is often worse in winter.
d) yin deficiency – red and dry skin that is cracked and flaky, itching worsens in the evening and at night, sleep disturbances are common and there is often night sweating or increased thirst at night. this type of eczema will worsen with long periods of stress or overwork.

There are other diagnoses possible, however these are the main ones that are seen in clinic. Each diagnosis has its own set of treatment principles and diet/lifestyle recommendations.

The Role of Topical Creams and Other Products in the Treatment of Eczema

In Chinese Medicine the aim is to encourage the body to find its own place of harmony – with the end goal that your eczema will be significantly reduced and/or be in remission. However in the initial stages of treatment, and in ongoing scenarios, our clients are often looking for something to put on the skin to make life more comfortable for them.

Many clients are cautious in their use of corticosteroid creams, particularly with a common side effect of weakening or discolouring the skin with prolonged use. There are a number of natural products on the market with varying degrees of efficacy, and varying levels of additives and preservatives. Be sure to check the label of any “natural” ingredient that you are purchasing to be sure that it doesn’t contain any of the nasties that you are trying to avoid.

Many who have used our creams have found them to be effective in managing their eczema, and they prefer them above others because they are natural and contain no unnecessary ingredients, colours, additives, preservatives.

Diet and Lifestyle Factors

Naturally the diet and lifestyle factors that are recommended by Chinese Medicine will vary depending on the particular diagnosis that you have been given.

General recommendations are:

Avoid hot showers as they weaken the skin and will hinder improvement in your condition, have your shower as cool as you can stand it.
Avoid shellfish as they cause heat and dryness in the skin
Regulate your emotions, this is particularly important for those who suffer from bursts of anger or bouts of sadness. Excessive emotions of any sort will put a lot of heat into the blood, and will only serve to worsen or complicate your condition. Finding a good psychologist or counsellor can help to fast-track your improvement in this area
Avoid over-working and reduce your stress levels. easier said than done in today’s day and age but it’s important to stand up for what is right for you and your body. Your skin is your first line of defense, and some say that skin problems show a social and psychological issue with maintaining proper boundaries. A good start to addressing this is ensuring that other people’s needs and demands don’t cross over the line of what is in your best interests.
Reduce heating and drying components of your diet. This includes reducing your intake of coffee, sugar, alcohol and spicy foods. Tobacco and nicotine are other common sources of “heat”
following picture that i had treated by herbs.
before treatment of herbs

visit us on 1054 new north road mt albert auckland or phone09-8150518

after treatment of herbs