Contact Dermatitis in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different contact dermatitis patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Contact dermatitis is a form of skin inflammation that arises when the skin comes into contact with certain substances. It manifests as red, itchy, and sometimes painful rashes, typically appearing on the areas of skin exposed to the irritant or allergen.
Contact dermatitis can be categorized into two types: allergic contact dermatitis, triggered by an immune reaction to a substance, and irritant contact dermatitis, caused by direct damage to the skin by harsh substances. Symptoms and severity can vary, depending on the causative agent and individual sensitivity.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets contact dermatitis as a manifestation of internal disharmony and imbalance in the body. Unlike Western medicine, which focuses on the external allergens or irritants, TCM delves into the underlying patterns of disharmony that lead to skin reactions.
It emphasizes the importance of identifying and addressing the root causes, whether they are related to imbalances in Qi (vital energy), Blood, Yin and Yang, or disruptions in organ systems. Treatment in TCM is holistic, aiming to restore the body's natural balance and heal the skin from within.
TCM Patterns for Contact Dermatitis
Each pattern represents a distinct underlying imbalance that can cause contact dermatitis
Blood Deficiency with External Wind
Diagnostic signs
Fine (Xi), Wiry (Xian)
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Diagnostic signs
Fine (Xi), Wiry (Xian)
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Herbal Formulas for Contact Dermatitis
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address contact dermatitis