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Treatment for dermatological disease

Treatment for dermatological disease

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment for dermatological diseases is based on the principles of holistic theory and syndrome differentiation (Bian Zheng Lun Zhi). It integrates theories such as Yin-Yang, the Five Elements, and Zang-Fu organs and meridians. Through methods like herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, and dietary therapy, TCM aims to regulate the balance of Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang in the body to treat skin diseases. 

1. Causes and Pathogenesis of Dermatological Diseases

  • Causes: Common causes of skin diseases include external factors such as the Six Pathogens (wind, cold, heat, dampness, dryness, and fire), internal factors like the Seven Emotions (joy, anger, worry, overthinking, sadness, fear, and fright), improper diet, overexertion, and insect or toxin invasion.
  • Pathogenesis: Skin diseases are often related to dysfunction of the lungs, spleen, heart, and liver, particularly the lungs’ role in governing the skin and hair, the spleen’s role in transformation and transportation, the heart’s role in governing blood vessels, and the liver’s role in regulating Qi flow. Additionally, imbalances in Qi and Blood, damp-heat accumulation, and wind pathogen invasion are key pathological mechanisms.

2. Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment

  • Syndrome Differentiation: Based on the patient’s symptoms, physical signs, tongue appearance, and pulse condition, the cause, pathogenesis, and location of the disease are determined. Common differentiation methods for skin diseases include the Eight Principles, Zang-Fu organ differentiation, and Qi-Blood differentiation.
  • Treatment Determination: Based on the differentiation results, a treatment plan is formulated, and appropriate herbal formulas or therapeutic methods are selected.

3. Common Treatment Methods

  • Herbal Medicine: According to the differentiation results, corresponding herbal formulas are chosen. Commonly used formulas include Xiao Feng San (Wind-Dispersing Powder), Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (Gentian Liver-Draining Decoction), and Dang Gui Yin Zi (Chinese Angelica Drink), which are used to clear heat and toxins, dispel wind and relieve itching, and activate blood circulation to resolve stasis.
  • Acupuncture: By stimulating meridian points, Qi and Blood circulation is regulated. It is commonly used to treat eczema, urticaria, and acne. Common acupoints include Quchi (LI11), Hegu (LI4), and Xuehai (SP10).
  • External Therapies: Methods such as herbal compresses, fumigation, and medicinal baths are applied directly to the affected area. These are often used to treat itching, ulcers, and eczema.
  • Dietary Therapy: Based on the patient’s constitution and condition, appropriate foods are selected for nourishment. For example, individuals with damp-heat constitution should consume foods that clear heat and resolve dampness, while those with Blood deficiency should consume foods that tonify Blood.

4. TCM Treatment for Common Dermatological Diseases

  • Eczema:
    • Damp-Heat Accumulation: Treated with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang or Bi Xie Shen Shi Tang (Dioscorea Dampness-Resolving Decoction).
    • Spleen Deficiency with Dampness: Treated with Chu Shi Wei Ling Tang (Dampness-Removing Stomach-Calming Decoction) or Shen Ling Bai Zhu San (Ginseng, Poria, and Atractylodes Powder).
    • Blood Deficiency with Wind-Dryness: Treated with Dang Gui Yin Zi or Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction).
  • Urticaria:
    • Wind-Heat Type: Treated with Xiao Feng San or Yin Qiao San (Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder).
    • Wind-Cold Type: Treated with Ma Huang Gui Zhi Ge Ban Tang (Ephedra and Cinnamon Twig Half-and-Half Decoction) or Jing Fang Bai Du San (Schizonepeta and Saposhnikovia Toxin-Resolving Powder).
    • Qi and Blood Deficiency: Treated with Ba Zhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction) or Gui Pi Tang (Spleen-Restoring Decoction).
  • Acne:
    • Lung Channel Wind-Heat: Treated with Pi Pa Qing Fei Yin (Loquat Lung-Clearing Drink) or Yin Qiao San.
    • Spleen-Stomach Damp-Heat: Treated with Yin Chen Hao Tang (Artemisia Capillaris Decoction) or Huang Lian Jie Du Tang (Coptis Toxin-Resolving Decoction).
    • Phlegm and Blood Stasis: Treated with Tao Hong Si Wu Tang (Peach Kernel and Carthamus Four Substances Decoction) or Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Blood Mansion Stasis-Expelling Decoction).
  • Psoriasis:
    • Blood-Heat Type: Treated with Liang Xue Di Huang Tang (Cooling Blood Rehmannia Decoction) or Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang (Rhinoceros Horn and Rehmannia Decoction).
    • Blood Stasis Type: Treated with Tao Hong Si Wu Tang or Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang.
    • Blood Deficiency Type: Treated with Dang Gui Yin Zi or Si Wu Tang.
  • Herpes Zoster:
    • Liver Channel Qi Stagnation and Heat: Treated with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang or Chai Hu Shu Gan San (Bupleurum Liver-Soothing Powder).
    • Spleen Deficiency with Dampness: Treated with Chu Shi Wei Ling Tang or Shen Ling Bai Zhu San.
    • Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis: Treated with Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang or Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang (Below the Diaphragm Stasis-Expelling Decoction).

5. Nourishment and Prevention

  • Emotional Regulation: Maintain emotional stability and avoid excessive worry, anger, and other negative emotions, especially for those with liver Qi stagnation.
  • Dietary Nourishment: Choose appropriate foods based on constitution. For example, individuals with damp-heat constitution should consume coix seed and adzuki beans, while those with Blood deficiency should consume red dates and longan.
  • Regular Lifestyle: Maintain a regular daily routine and avoid overexertion, especially for patients with skin diseases who should avoid staying up late.
  • Skin Care: Keep the skin clean, avoid using irritating cosmetics, and use TCM-based skincare products appropriately.

6. Precautions

  • Individualized Treatment: Treatment should be tailored to the patient’s specific condition, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach.
  • Treatment Duration and Efficacy: TCM treatment often requires a longer duration, and patients need to be patient and cooperative.
  • Integrative Medicine: In some cases, combining TCM with Western medicine can enhance treatment efficacy.

7. Key Points for Preventing Dermatological Diseases

  • Avoid Triggers: Such as avoiding allergens, maintaining skin hygiene, and avoiding excessive sun exposure.
  • Strengthen Constitution: Enhance the body’s resistance through appropriate exercise and dietary nourishment.
  • Regular Check-ups: Early detection and treatment of skin diseases to prevent worsening of conditions.

TCM treatment for dermatological diseases emphasizes holistic regulation and individualized care. Through a combination of methods, it aims to address the root cause of diseases and achieve therapeutic goals. Its advantages include minimal side effects, long-lasting efficacy, and a focus on integrating prevention and nourishment.sting results, and a strong focus on prevention and ongoing health maintenance.