Skin Inflammationaccording to TCM
Symptom families: Eczema, Dermatitis and Itchy Conditions of the Skin, Skin Inflammation & Swelling
Parent symptom: Inflammation
Sub-symptom(s): Atopic Dermatitis Allergic Dermatitis Contact Dermatitis
What is Skin Inflammation?
Skin inflammation is a medical condition characterized by redness, swelling, and often pain in the skin. This condition can arise from various factors, including allergic reactions, infections, or chronic diseases. Sub-symptoms of skin inflammation include Atopic Dermatitis, Allergic dermatitis, and Contact Dermatitis, each presenting unique characteristics.
Skin inflammation is not only a surface issue but can be indicative of underlying health problems. It's crucial to understand the cause of skin inflammation to effectively treat it, as it's a specific manifestation of the broader category of inflammation.
How Does TCM View Skin Inflammation?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets skin inflammation as a sign of imbalance within the body's systems. Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on treating the symptoms directly, TCM seeks to understand and rectify the root cause of the imbalance.
In TCM, skin inflammation is typically seen as a manifestation of disharmony in the body's Qi (energy), Yin, Yang, and Blood. This holistic approach involves assessing the entire individual, including their emotional and physical state, to tailor a treatment that restores balance and addresses the specific type of disharmony causing the inflammation.
Root Causes of Skin Inflammation in TCM
In TCM, the causes of skin inflammation are often linked to external factors like Wind, Cold, Heat, and Dampness, or internal factors such as emotional distress or dietary imbalances. For instance, Wind-Cold patterns can manifest as skin inflammation with symptoms like itching and dryness, indicating an external invasion of Cold.
Another common cause is Heat, either from external sources or internal factors like emotional stress or dietary habits, leading to red, inflamed, and painful skin. By identifying these patterns, TCM practitioners aim to address the underlying imbalances through tailored treatments, offering a comprehensive approach to managing skin inflammation.
Explore below more details about what might cause Skin inflammation according to TCM.
- By Syndrome
- Blood Deficiency
- Wind
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 Skin Inflammation
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Deficiency with External Wind | Contact dermatitis, Eczema, Red skin eruptions, Urticaria, Neurodermatitis, Ichthyosis, Psoriasis, Measles, 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 Skin Inflammation
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Deficiency with External Wind | Contact dermatitis, Eczema, Red skin eruptions, Urticaria, Neurodermatitis, Ichthyosis, Psoriasis, Measles, 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 Skin Inflammation
TCM employs a variety of herbal formulas to address the specific patterns causing skin inflammation. For Wind-Cold patterns, formulas like Jing Fang Bai Du San with Japanese catnip (Jing Jie) are used for their ability to expel Cold and release the exterior.
In cases of Qi-level Heat causing inflammation, Bai Hu Tang with Gypsum (Shi Gao) is often prescribed to clear Heat and nourish fluids. For more complex conditions like Wind-Cold-Damp with Qi Deficiency, Ren Shen Bai Du San with Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo) is selected to strengthen Qi and dispel the pathogenic factors. Each formula is chosen based on the unique pattern of disharmony in the individual, illustrating TCM's personalized approach to treatment.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address skin inflammation, organized by cause and by formula type.
- By Cause
- By Formula Type
- Blood Deficiency
- Wind
- External formulas for external disorders
- Formulas that dredge and disperse external wind
- Formulas that clear qi-level heat
- Formulas that clear wind-Cold
- Formulas that clear wind-Heat
- Formulas that clear heat and expel dampness
Top Formula for Blood Deficiency:
Dang Gui Yin Zi
Suitable for Blood Deficiency patterns that may cause skin inflammation, such as Blood Deficiency with External Wind
Learn more
Top Formula for Wind:
Dang Gui Yin Zi
Suitable for Wind patterns that may cause skin inflammation, such as Blood Deficiency with External Wind
Learn moreFormulas that dredge and disperse External Wind
These formulas are suitable for some skin inflammation-causing patterns like Blood Deficiency with External Wind.
One such formula is Dang Gui Yin Zi, with japanese catnip as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that dredge and disperse external wind" recommended for skin inflammation
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Dang Gui Yin Zi | Blood Deficiency with External Wind |
| Xiao Feng San | Not applicable |
External formulas for External disorders
Skin inflammation can be treated by these formulas if it is caused by external factors like wind, cold, or heat leading to symptoms on the body's surface.
One such formula is Jing Fang Bai Du San, with japanese catnip as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "external formulas for external disorders" recommended for skin inflammation
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Jing Fang Bai Du San | Not applicable |
| Ren Shen Bai Du San | Not applicable |
| Ku Shen Tang | Not applicable |
Formulas that clear Qi-level Heat
Skin inflammation can be treated by these formulas when it results from an intense heat condition at the qi level, affecting the body's energy flow.
One such formula is Bai Hu Tang, with gypsum as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Wind-Cold
Skin inflammation can be treated by these formulas when it stems from external pathogenic influences characterized by cold and wind symptoms.
One such formula is Da Qing Long Tang, with ephedra as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Wind-Heat
Skin inflammation can be treated by these formulas if it originates from a wind-heat invasion.
One such formula is Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang, with japanese catnip as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness
Skin inflammation can be treated by formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness if it results from heat combined with damp conditions in the body.
One such formula is Yin Chen Hao Tang, with virgate wormwood as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Skin Inflammation
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address skin inflammation, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that cool the blood
- Cool/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that stabilize and bind
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
- Herbs that dispel wind and dampness
- Herbs that clear heat and relieve toxicity
- Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
- Herbs that drain dampness
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Skin inflammation can be treated by these herbs when there is a need to dispel external cold and warm the body, especially in cases where there is insufficient Yang energy internally.
One such herb is Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie), a key herb in some formulas recommended for skin inflammation, like Jing Fang Bai Du San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior" recommended for skin inflammation
Herbs that cool the Blood
Skin inflammation can be treated by these herbs when it is a consequence of excess heat in the blood, helping to cool and detoxify the blood.
One such herb is Hibiscus Leaves (Fu Rong Ye), which is directly recommended for skin inflammation.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that cool the Blood" recommended for skin inflammation
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Hibiscus Leaves (Fu Rong Ye) | Not applicable |
| Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) | Not applicable |
Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Skin inflammation can be treated by these herbs when the body needs to harmonize with external environmental changes, particularly when there's a need to expel pathogenic factors like wind or cold without overly cooling the body.
One such herb is Greater Burdock Fruits (Niu Bang Zi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for skin inflammation, like Xiao Feng San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior" recommended for skin inflammation
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Greater Burdock Fruits (Niu Bang Zi) | Xiao Feng San |
| Cicada Sloughs (Chan Tui) | Xiao Feng San |
Herbs that stabilize and bind
Skin inflammation can be treated by these herbs if it is caused by a leakage of bodily fluids or energies, helping to consolidate and preserve the body's essential substances.
One such herb is Chinese Gall (Wu Bei Zi), which is directly recommended for skin inflammation.
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Skin inflammation can be treated by these herbs when it arises from excessive internal heat or fire, aiding in cooling the body and balancing internal temperature.
One such herb is Gypsum (Shi Gao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for skin inflammation, like Bai Hu Tang.
Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness
Skin inflammation can be treated by these herbs when it is due to the invasion or accumulation of wind and dampness, which often affects the muscles and joints.
One such herb is Pubescent Angelica Roots (Du Huo), a key herb in some formulas recommended for skin inflammation, like Jing Fang Bai Du San.
Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity
Skin inflammation can be treated by these herbs if it arises from internal heat and toxic accumulations, aiding in detoxification and cooling the body.
One such herb is Forsythia Fruits (Lian Qiao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for skin inflammation, like Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang.
Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Skin inflammation can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness and heat within the body, aiming to restore balance by drying dampness and clearing heat.
One such herb is Sophora Roots (Ku Shen), a key herb in some formulas recommended for skin inflammation, like Ku Shen Tang.
Herbs that drain Dampness
Skin inflammation can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness in the body, aiding in eliminating damp through diuretic action.
One such herb is Virgate Wormwood (Yin Chen), a key herb in some formulas recommended for skin inflammation, like Yin Chen Hao Tang.