I have suffered from eczema for many years. Although I have seen improvements through Western medicine, it still tends to recur in localized areas on my hands and feet from time to time, which is quite distressing.
Atopic dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, hand eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, xerotic eczema, nummular eczema, and chronic simple lichen are all classified under the umbrella of eczema.
The warm, humid, and hot spring and summer seasons are peak times for eczema flare-ups, especially this year with the weather fluctuating between cold and warm, accompanied by occasional rain. In just one day, we might experience variations resembling all four seasons, leading to a 30-40% increase in eczema cases! Therefore, let's review some important precautions for eczema and methods of adjustment in traditional Chinese medicine!
If the tongue coating is yellow and thick, and you frequently experience dryness in the mouth, along with fatigue and soft, sticky stools that do not feel completely clean, as well as yellowish urine and excessive vaginal discharge, traditional Chinese medicine classifies these symptoms as indicative of a "damp-heat" constitution. Eczema associated with this constitution tends to flare up during the hot, humid, and oppressive summer months.
The damp-heat constitution is closely related to dietary habits. For instance, enjoying spicy, fried, and heavily flavored foods, such as salted crispy chicken, spicy hot pots, and pickled vegetables, can generate "heat" within the body. This heat excess can become trapped in the skin, leading to sensations of heat and itching, and even the development of erythematous papules. Additionally, frequent consumption of cold drinks and ice can lead to the accumulation of "dampness" in the body. This excessive dampness manifests on the skin as blisters, erosion, or oozing fluid, tending to affect the lower part of the body, such as the waist, abdomen, groin, and legs. The dampness can linger stubbornly, causing the condition to be chronic and difficult to resolve, requiring extended time for adjustment.
To address the damp-heat constitution, we recommend using herbal treatments that include ingredients like Poria, Huangbai, Huangqin, Kushi, Tu Fuling, Yiren, Talcum, Gan Cao, Difuzi, Jingjie, and Fangfeng to "clear heat, eliminate dampness, and relieve itching." It is also important to avoid allergens and limit the intake of spicy foods (such as chili, pepper, mustard, and curry), seafood (shrimp and crab), lamb, bamboo shoots, pineapple, mango, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, fragrances, and ice products. Additionally, avoid washing with excessively hot water, refrain from excessive scratching to prevent skin damage and infection, and with proper treatment, the degree of itching and the area affected by eczema will gradually improve. Your skin will no longer be moist and deteriorated, and you will feel much refreshed, without the irritation of persistent itching.
Eczema encompasses a wide range of conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and irritant contact dermatitis. Once eczema flares up, it can easily evolve into chronic eczema, as scratching can cause skin damage and reinfection, leading to repeat occurrences. Therefore, eczema should be treated from the root cause of the constitution, and inappropriate dietary habits and lifestyle routines must be changed to effectively bid farewell to eczema!
The method of traditional Chinese medicine treatment is to expel the dampness and accumulated waste that have long persisted in the body, allowing for qi and blood circulation and ensuring the smooth functioning of metabolic pathways to fundamentally address the issue of eczema recurrence.