Eczema, or dermatitis as it is sometimes called, is a general term for many
types of skin inflammation. The most common form of eczema is atopic dermatitis.
Eczema most commonly causes dry, reddened skin that itches or burns, although
the appearance of eczema varies from person to person and varies according to
the specific type of eczema. Intense itching is generally the first symptom in
most people with eczema. Sometimes, eczema may lead to blisters and oozing
lesions, but eczema can also result in dry and scaly skin. Repeated scratching
may lead to thickened, crusty skin.
In Chinese medicine eczema is brought about by the influence of 3 main
factors: wind, heat, damp. These may be external or arise inside the body
caused by problems with the function of important organs in the body. Eczema
may be of sudden onset, it may be long-standing (chronic) or it may be in
between (subacute). Eczema of sudden onset would show a red itchy skin and if
dampness were involved the weepy exudate familiar to sufferers would be
present. Long standing eczema has the coarse hard thick red or dark brown
crusts which can last for months or even years and be very itchy.
After asking questions about the eczema and the way it came about, the
function of the internal organs of the body and the internal and external
influences, the Chinese medical practitioner will examine the patient's tongue
and pulse. From the color and texture of the tongue and the nature of the pulse
the type of disease patter or "syndrome" affecting the patient can be
deduced. The practitioner can then decide what treatment to prescribe. Acupuncture
can provide some relief from the dry and itchy skin as well as correct the
imbalances of heat, wind and dampness. Acupuncture for eczema is often combined
with the application of herbal medicine. Over many hundreds of years Chinese
doctors have developed combinations of ingredients derived mainly from plants
which have been found to remedy disease in the body in more than one way. Chinese
herbs are prescribed to improve the function of internal organs, to drive away
disease causing influence and to maximize the ability of the body to resist
illness and cure itself.
The goal of traditional Chinese medicine is to restore balance to the body
and to treat the root cause of an illness, thereby "curing" the
disease. This approach gives TCM a special advantage over certain western
medicine therapies that focus on merely providing symptomatic relief.
Traditional Chinese medicine has been proven safe & effective without
adverse side effects. If you would like to pursue this form of treatment or
information, please contact us.
