Eczema in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different eczema patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition characterized by itchy, inflamed, and sometimes blistering and weeping patches of skin. It can vary in severity, affecting individuals differently, with symptoms ranging from mild dryness and redness to severe itching and inflammation that can lead to discomfort and sleep disturbances. Eczema is often a chronic condition and can be exacerbated by various triggers, including environmental factors, stress, and allergens.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a unique perspective on eczema, contrasting with Western medicine's focus on external triggers and immune responses. TCM sees eczema as a manifestation of internal imbalances in the body, particularly involving the Liver, Spleen, and Lung systems.
It emphasizes that the root causes of eczema are as crucial as the visible symptoms, and it focuses on restoring the body's overall balance to treat the condition. TCM practitioners identify specific patterns of disharmony within the body, determining treatment based on these patterns.
TCM Patterns for Eczema
Heat
Causes: Eczema, Vulvar eczema
Heat in the Blood
Eczema
Along with: Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia, Hematuria, Vomiting blood, Cough of blood, Nosebleeds, Excessive menstruation
Toxic-Heat
Eczema
Along with: Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule, Red skin eruptions, Sore throat, Perineum swollen, Prostate swollen, Testicular swelling, Mouth ulcers, Tonsil swelling
Toxic-Heat Stagnation
Eczema
Along with: Pustule, Carbuncles, Fever, Red skin eruptions, Sore throat, Throat pain, Perineum swollen, Prostate swollen, Testicular swelling, Mouth ulcers, Tonsil swelling
Damp-Heat in the Liver
Vulvar eczema
Along with: Hypochondrial fullness and distention with pain alleviated by warmth, Abdominal fullness, Lower abdominal fullness, Bitter taste in the mouth, Sticky taste in the mouth, Loss of appetite, Nausea, Feeling of heaviness, Yellow vaginal discharge, Vaginal itching, 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
Dampness
Causes: Eczema, Vulvar eczema
Damp-Cold
Eczema
Along with: Mouth ulcers, White and watery sputum, Nasal discharge, Sneezing, Chills, Abdominal pain, Cold extremities, Arthralgia, Diarrhea, Feeling of heaviness
Damp-Heat in the Liver
Vulvar eczema
Along with: Hypochondrial fullness and distention with pain alleviated by warmth, Abdominal fullness, Lower abdominal fullness, Bitter taste in the mouth, Sticky taste in the mouth, Loss of appetite, Nausea, Feeling of heaviness, Yellow vaginal discharge, Vaginal itching, 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
Blood Deficiency
Causes: Eczema
Blood Deficiency with External Wind
Eczema
Along with: Red skin eruptions, Urticaria, Neurodermatitis, Ichthyosis, Psoriasis, Measles, Contact dermatitis, Itchy skin, Hair loss, Carbuncles, Boils, Drug rash, Skin dryness, Itching worsen at nights, Flaking skin
Wind
Causes: Eczema
Blood Deficiency with External Wind
Eczema
Along with: Red skin eruptions, Urticaria, Neurodermatitis, Ichthyosis, Psoriasis, Measles, Contact dermatitis, Itchy skin, Hair loss, Carbuncles, Boils, Drug rash, Skin dryness, Itching worsen at nights, Flaking skin
Cold
Causes: Eczema
Damp-Cold
Eczema
Along with: Mouth ulcers, White and watery sputum, Nasal discharge, Sneezing, Chills, Abdominal pain, Cold extremities, Arthralgia, Diarrhea, Feeling of heaviness
Herbal Formulas for Eczema
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address eczema
Huang Lian Jie Du Tang
Addresses these eczema patterns:
Main Actions
- Drains Fire
- Resolves Toxin
Addresses These Eczema Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Toxic-Heat Stagnation
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Pustule, Carbuncles, Fever, Red skin eruptions, Sore throat, Throat pain...
Qing Ying Tang
Addresses these eczema patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears the Nutritive level Heat
- Relieves Fire Toxin
- Removes Heat
- Nourishes Yin
Addresses These Eczema Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Addresses these eczema patterns:
Main Actions
- Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system
- Removes Blood Stagnation
Addresses These Eczema Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin
Addresses these eczema patterns:
Main Actions
- Spreads Lung Qi
- Clears Heat
- Unblocks the orifices (specifically the nose)
Addresses These Eczema Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Toxic-Heat Stagnation
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Pustule, Carbuncles, Fever, Red skin eruptions, Sore throat, Throat pain...
Bai He Di Huang Tang
Addresses these eczema patterns:
Main Actions
- Moistens the Lungs
- Enriches the Body Fluids
- Clears Heat and cools the Blood
Addresses These Eczema Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Bai Hu Tang
Addresses these eczema patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Qi-level Heat
- Drains Stomach Fire
- Generates fluids
- Alleviates thirst
Addresses These Eczema Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Bing Peng San
Addresses these eczema patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Toxic-Heat
- Dispels putrescence
- Reduces swellings and relieves pain
Addresses These Eczema Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Dang Gui Yin Zi
Addresses these eczema patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Blood
- Moistens Dryness
- Clears Heat
- Dispels Wind
- Relieves itching
Addresses These Eczema Pattern Variations
Blood Deficiency with External Wind
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Red skin eruptions, Urticaria, Neurodermatitis, Ichthyosis, Psoriasis, Measles...
Er Qing Gao
Addresses these eczema patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Toxic-Heat
- Disperses swelling
- Relieves pain
Addresses These Eczema Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan
Addresses these eczema patterns:
Main Actions
- Resolves Dampness and transforms turbidity
- Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity
Addresses These Eczema Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Gu Jing Wan
Addresses these eczema patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin
- Clears Heat
- Stops bleeding
- Stabilizes the menses
Addresses These Eczema Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Hua Ban Tang
Addresses these eczema patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Qi-level Heat
- Cools the Blood
Addresses These Eczema Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin
Addresses these eczema patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Toxic-Heat
- Clears Wind-Heat
Addresses These Eczema Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Qing Re Gu Jing Tang
Addresses these eczema patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Empty Heat
- Tonifies the Kidney Yin
- Stops bleeding
- Supplies Body Fluids
Addresses These Eczema Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
Addresses these eczema patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity
- Reduces swelling
- Induces ulceration
- Moves the Blood and dispels stasis
Addresses These Eczema Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Sang Ju Yin
Addresses these eczema patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind
- Stops coughing by invigorating Lung Qi
- Clears Heat
Addresses These Eczema Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Shi Hui San
Addresses these eczema patterns:
Main Actions
- Cools the Blood and
- Stops bleeding
- Clears Heat and drains Fire
Addresses These Eczema Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Shi Wei Bai Du San
Addresses these eczema patterns:
Main Actions
- Dispels Wind and transforms Dampness
- Clears Toxic Heat
Addresses These Eczema Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Wei Ling Tang
Addresses these eczema patterns:
Main Actions
- Promotes urination
- Warms the Yang
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Drains Dampness
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Eczema Pattern Variations
Damp-Cold
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Mouth ulcers, White and watery sputum, Nasal discharge, Sneezing, Chills, Abdominal pain...
Yin Chen Hao Tang
Addresses these eczema patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears heat
- Resolves dampness
- Reduces jaundice
Addresses These Eczema Pattern Variations
Damp-Heat in the Liver
How it manifests:
Vulvar eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondrial fullness and distention with pain alleviated by warmth, Abdominal fullness, Lower abdominal fullness, Bitter taste in the mouth, Sticky taste in the mouth, Loss of appetite...
Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan
Addresses these eczema patterns:
Main Actions
- Clear Heat by releasing the Exterior
- Clears the Toxic-Heat
Addresses These Eczema Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Yin Qiao San
Addresses these eczema patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind Heat
- Clears Heat
- Resolves Toxicity
Addresses These Eczema Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Zi Dang Gao
Addresses these eczema patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and cools the Blood
- Resolves toxicity
- Moistens Dryness
- Relieves pain and itching
Addresses These Eczema Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Eczema
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Traditional formula for eczema
Main Actions
- Tonifies Yang
- Warms the Kidneys and lower extremities
Da Huang Fu Zi Tang
Traditional formula for eczema
Main Actions
- Warms the Interior
- Disperses Cold
- Unblocks the bowels
- Alleviates pain
Dang Gui Shao Yao San
Traditional formula for eczema
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Liver Blood
- Spreads the Liver Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Resolves Dampness
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Traditional formula for eczema
Main Actions
- Anti-rheumatic, clears Wind, Cold and Damp Stagnation
- Strengthens the function of the Liver and Kidney
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
Gui Zhi Tang
Traditional formula for eczema
Main Actions
- Releases pathogens from the muscle layer
- Regulates the Nutritive and Protective Qi
Jing Fang Bai Du San
Traditional formula for eczema
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior by sweating
- Dispels Wind and Dampness
- Augments Qi
- Reduces pain
Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang
Traditional formula for eczema
Main Actions
- Dispels Wind
- Clears toxic-Heat
- Disperses Stagnation
Ma Huang Tang
Traditional formula for eczema
Main Actions
- Releases exterior cold
- Treats wheezing
Ren Shen Bai Du San
Traditional formula for eczema
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Dispels Wind and Dampness
- Augments Qi
Tao He Cheng Qi Tang
Traditional formula for eczema
Main Actions
- Dispels Heat and
- Eliminates Blood Stagnation
Xiao Feng San
Traditional formula for eczema
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind
- Eliminates Dampness
- Clears Heat
- Cools the Blood
- Nourishes the Blood
- Relieves skin itchness
Yi Yi Fu Zi Bai Jiang San
Traditional formula for eczema
Main Actions
- Expels pus and reduces abscesses
- Warms the Yang
- Disperses clumping
Xiao Chai Hu Tang
Traditional formula for eczema
Main Actions
- Treats the Lesser Yang Channels (Gallbladder and Triple Warmer)
- Regulates the Liver and Spleen functions
- Addresses combined Yin-Yang symptoms of External and Internal, Excess and Deficiency, and Hot and Cold