Red Skin Eruptionsaccording to TCM

4 causes

22 herbal formulas

4 acupoints

Symptom families: Dermatological Conditions & Symptoms, Skin Inflammation & Swelling

Did you mean? Erythema Nodosum Macular Rash

What is Red Skin Eruptions?

Red skin eruptions, commonly known as red skin lesions, rashes, or red skin, are a group of conditions characterized by red, inflamed, and often itchy patches on the skin. These eruptions can vary in size, shape, and intensity and may appear anywhere on the body.

They can be indicative of various underlying issues, ranging from allergic reactions to systemic diseases. Identifying the specific type and cause of these eruptions is crucial for effective treatment and management.

How Does TCM View Red Skin Eruptions?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), red skin eruptions are often seen as manifestations of internal disharmonies, such as imbalances in Qi (vital energy), Blood, Yin, and Yang.

TCM attributes these conditions to factors like Heat, Dampness, Wind, and Blood Stagnation. The approach in TCM is holistic, focusing on restoring balance and harmony within the body through a combination of herbal medicine, acupuncture, and lifestyle modifications, rather than just treating the symptoms.

Root Causes of Red Skin Eruptions in TCM

According to TCM, one common cause of red skin eruptions is Heat in the Blood, which leads to symptoms like a feeling of heat, thirst, and various types of bleeding, along with the skin issues.

Another pattern is Toxic-Heat, marked by fever, edema, pus, boils, sore throat, and eczema. Blood Deficiency with External Wind is another cause, leading to a range of skin conditions like rash, eczema, urticaria, and psoriasis. These patterns highlight the diverse nature of skin conditions in TCM, each requiring a unique therapeutic approach.

Explore below more details about what might cause Red skin eruptions according to TCM.

By Syndrome

Heat
Yin Deficiency
Blood Deficiency
Wind
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Heat

In TCM "Heat" signifies an excess of Yang energy, leading to an imbalance where heat predominates over the body's cool Yin aspects. This condition is metaphorically akin to an internal over-heating. Symptoms indicative of Heat can include feelings of warmth, fever, sweating, irritability, red face, thirst with a preference for cold drinks, and a rapid pulse. The tongue may appear red with a yellow coating. Unlike the common interpretation of heat in terms of temperature, in TCM, it represents a state of hyperactivity or inflammation in the body.... see more

Heat Patterns That Can Lead to Red Skin Eruptions

Common Symptoms: Thirst Fever Constipation Irritability Eczema Dark Urine Feeling Hot Insomnia

Pattern Name	Relevant Symptoms	Relevant Formulas
Heat in the Blood	Red skin eruptions, Feeling hot, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia, Hematuria, Vomiting blood, Hemoptysis, Nosebleeds, Excessive menstruation... see more	Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang \| Gu Jing Wan \| Shi Hui San \| Bai He Di Huang Tang \| Hua Ban Tang \| Qing Ying Tang \| Qing Re Gu Jing Tang
Toxic-Heat	Red skin eruptions, Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule, Sore throat, Eczema, Perineum swollen, Prostate swollen, Testicular swelling, Mouth ulcers, Tonsil swelling... see more	Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang \| Qing Ying Tang \| Yin Qiao San \| Sang Ju Yin \| Bai Hu Tang \| Long Dan Xie Gan Tang \| Huang Lian Jie Du Tang \| Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin \| Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan \| Shi Wei Bai Du San \| San Zhong Kui Jian Tang \| Zi Dang Gao \| Er Qing Gao \| Bing Peng San \| Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin
Toxic-Heat Stagnation	Red skin eruptions, Pustule, Carbuncles, Fever, Sore throat, Throat pain, Eczema, Perineum swollen, Prostate swollen, Testicular swelling, Mouth ulcers, Tonsil swelling... see more	Huang Lian Jie Du Tang \| Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin
Excess-Heat	Red skin rashes, Fever, Flushed face, Red skin eruptions, Mottled skin, Irritability, Thirst, Arthritis, Constipation, Scanty and dark urine, Lupus... see more	Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency	Red skin eruptions, Nighttime fever, Emaciation, Chronic pyelonephritis, Pulmonary tuberculosis, Renal tuberculosis, Tidal fever, Hot palms and soles, Night sweats, Generalized fatigue, Irritability... see more	Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang

Yin Deficiency

Yin deficiency in TCM is a pattern of disharmony characterized by a depletion of the body's Yin energy, which represents the cooling, moistening, and nurturing aspects of our physiology. This condition often arises from factors like chronic stress, overwork, insufficient rest, or prolonged illness. Symptoms of Yin deficiency can include a sensation of heat, especially in the afternoon or evening, night sweats, insomnia, a dry mouth or throat, and a red tongue with little coating. There might also be a general feeling of restlessness or irritability. Since Yin is essential for balancing the body's active and warm Yang energy, its deficiency leads to a relative excess of Yang, manifesting as heat or dryness symptoms.... see more

Yin Deficiency Patterns That Can Lead to Red Skin Eruptions

Pattern Name	Relevant Symptoms	Relevant Formulas
Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency	Red skin eruptions, Nighttime fever, Emaciation, Chronic pyelonephritis, Pulmonary tuberculosis, Renal tuberculosis, Tidal fever, Hot palms and soles, Night sweats, Generalized fatigue, Irritability... see more	Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang

Blood Deficiency

Blood Deficiency in TCM is like when your body's tank runs low on the vital energy that blood provides. It's not exactly the same as anemia in modern medicine, which is about having too few red blood cells. Instead, Blood Deficiency in TCM is about your body not having enough of the life-giving qualities that blood brings, like nourishment and moisture. This can make you feel tired, look pale, and even feel dizzy or have blurry vision. It's like a garden not getting enough water to stay lush and vibrant. TCM sees this as an imbalance where the body isn't being nourished as it should be, impacting overall health and well-being.... see more

Blood Deficiency Patterns That Can Lead to Red Skin Eruptions

Pattern Name	Relevant Symptoms	Relevant Formulas
Blood Deficiency with External Wind	Rash, Eczema, 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... see more	Dang Gui Yin Zi

Wind

In TCM "Wind" is a concept that represents a pattern of disharmony, often characterized by its sudden and unpredictable nature, much like a gusty wind changing direction without warning. This pattern is associated with symptoms that come and go quickly or move around the body, such as itching, tremors, or even certain types of pain. Wind is considered to be a primary cause of illnesses that have these rapidly changing characteristics. In TCM, external Wind often refers to illnesses that start suddenly, like the common cold, believed to be caused by external pathogenic factors like climatic changes. On the other hand, internal Wind can be linked to internal imbalances and can manifest in conditions like dizziness or spasms. ... see more

Wind Patterns That Can Lead to Red Skin Eruptions

Pattern Name	Relevant Symptoms	Relevant Formulas
Blood Deficiency with External Wind	Rash, Eczema, 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... see more	Dang Gui Yin Zi

TCM Herbal Formulas for Red Skin Eruptions

In TCM, treatment for red skin eruptions varies based on the underlying pattern. For Heat in the Blood, formulas like Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, featuring Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao), are used to cool the Blood.

For Toxic-Heat, similar formulas are applied. To address Blood Deficiency with External Wind, Dang Gui Yin Zi, containing Japanese catnip (Jing Jie), is often prescribed to disperse Wind and nourish the Blood.

Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address red skin eruptions, organized by cause and by formula type.

By Cause
By Formula Type

Heat
Yin Deficiency
Blood Deficiency
Wind
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External formulas for external disorders
Formulas that clear heat from deficiency
Formulas that clear nutritive-level heat
Formulas that clear heat from the organs
Formulas that clear heat and resolve toxicity
Formulas that clear external abscesses and sores
Formulas that secure irregular uterine bleeding and stop vaginal discharge
Formulas that stop bleeding
Formulas that clear heat from qi and blood
Formulas that clear wind-Heat
Formulas that clear qi-level heat
Formulas that clear heat and expel dampness
Formulas that dredge and disperse external wind

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Top Formula for Heat:
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang

Suitable for Heat patterns that may cause red skin eruptions, such as Heat in the Blood or Excess-Heat

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All Formulas Recommended for Red Skin Eruptions Caused by Heat

Formula	Patterns Suitable For
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang	Heat in the Blood, Excess-Heat, Toxic-Heat
Qing Ying Tang	Heat in the Blood, Toxic-Heat
Huang Lian Jie Du Tang	Toxic-Heat, Toxic-Heat Stagnation
Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin	Toxic-Heat, Toxic-Heat Stagnation
Gu Jing Wan	Heat in the Blood
Shi Hui San	Heat in the Blood
Bai He Di Huang Tang	Heat in the Blood
Hua Ban Tang	Heat in the Blood
Qing Re Gu Jing Tang	Heat in the Blood
Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang	Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency
Yin Qiao San	Toxic-Heat
Sang Ju Yin	Toxic-Heat
Bai Hu Tang	Toxic-Heat
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang	Toxic-Heat
Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan	Toxic-Heat
Shi Wei Bai Du San	Toxic-Heat
San Zhong Kui Jian Tang	Toxic-Heat
Zi Dang Gao	Toxic-Heat
Er Qing Gao	Toxic-Heat
Bing Peng San	Toxic-Heat
Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin	Toxic-Heat

Top Formula for Yin Deficiency:
Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang

Suitable for Yin Deficiency patterns that may cause red skin eruptions, such as Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency

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Top Formula for Blood Deficiency:
Dang Gui Yin Zi

Suitable for Blood Deficiency patterns that may cause red skin eruptions, such as Blood Deficiency with External Wind

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Top Formula for Wind:
Dang Gui Yin Zi

Suitable for Wind patterns that may cause red skin eruptions, such as Blood Deficiency with External Wind

Learn more

Formulas that clear nutritive-level Heat

These formulas are suitable for some red skin eruptions-causing patterns like Heat in the Blood or Excess-Heat.

One such formula is Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, with water buffalo horn as a key herb.