Minor Burns in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different minor burns patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Minor burns are superficial skin injuries that result from brief contact with heat, chemicals, friction, electricity, or radiation. Typically characterized by redness, slight swelling, and pain, minor burns only affect the topmost layers of the skin.
They are often referred to as first-degree burns and can occur from everyday mishaps such as touching a hot pan, spending too much time in the sun, or a splash from boiling water. While they are usually manageable with self-care, understanding their nature is key to preventing infection and promoting healing.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches minor burns as a disturbance to the skin's integrity, caused primarily by an excess of Heat that injures the skin's Qi and Moisture.
In TCM, the skin is governed by the Lungs, and such burns are seen as a Toxic-Heat that must be cleared. Treatment focuses on expelling the Heat, nourishing the Yin to moisten the dryness caused by the burn, and facilitating the smooth flow of Qi and Blood to the affected area to aid in repair and relief of pain.
Herbal Formulas for Minor Burns
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address minor burns