Treating Eczema with Traditional Chinese Medicine

Atopic Eczema is the most common chronic, relapsing, inflammatory disease of the skin. It can occur at any age, though is commonly seen to first appear in infants and children. In the United States 10-30% of children and 2-10% of adults suffer from varying degrees of eczema. This number is thought be much higher even than reported and some suspect to be closer to 30-40% of the population and the incidence continues to rise.

Eczema is an itchy, uncomfortable, and sometimes painful disease of the skin that presents with redness (or hyper-pigmentation on darker skin), small papules, vesicles, and even pustules that are often accompanied by bleeding, oozing, crusting, and infection.

In addition to effecting the skin, Atopic eczema often brings a constellation of allergic conditions. 3 out of 4 patients with atopic eczema have a personal or family history of allergic disease including food allergies, asthma, allergic rhinitis, hives, or allergic conjunctivitis.

From managing symptoms to healing the whole system, Traditional Chinese Medicine can help heal eczema from the inside out.

TCM herbal treatment for eczema first focuses on settling the inflammatory process to relieve itching and reduce heat and discomfort in the skin. As the condition settles we add herbs to help reestablish balance and stability in the system. This involves mopping up inflammatory markers in the blood and clearing residual heat and dampness throughout the system to prevent further flares. Quite often people who suffer from eczema also have a constellation of other systemic symptoms which will also be addressed through herbal treatment. The goal with herbal treatment is to identify and treat the root cause of the condition so that we can restore the health of the body and the skin. With appropriate treatment once the body and skin are stable they will tend to remain stable on their own without need for further herbal treatment.

Atopic eczema during an active flare

Acupuncture also has an important role to play in managing eczema. Studies have shown that acupuncture can decrease systemic inflammation and reduce the severity of itching, which can reduce further damage to the skin. At the beginning of treatment, acupuncture sessions are scheduled closer together to get faster relief and as the skin heals and improves we are able to space these appointments further apart. Even in our youngest eczema patients, acupuncture and acupressure can be powerful tools to support healing. Reach out to Allison if you have specific questions about pediatric eczema treatment.

Every case of eczema is unique. With a thorough intake and Chinese Medicine diagnosis we can create a treatment plan specific to the individual.  If you or someone you know suffers from eczema and wants to avoid pharmaceuticals and medical interventions and get to the root of your skin issues, TCM Dermatology may be the best option for you. To learn more and find out if Chinese Medicine is right for you, contact Allison at allison@nineflowersacupuncture.com for more information.