ECZEMA

Typically marked by blotchy, itchy, or otherwise irritated skin, eczema refers to a group of skin conditions that cause sufferers both physical and mental anguish. The annoying symptoms associated with eczema are typically eased via steroids and topical medications, but these often lead to unwanted side effects.

Increasingly, patients are turning to traditional Chinese medicine in hopes of easing eczema symptoms while suffering minimal side effects. When integrated into a healthy lifestyle, acupuncture and use of traditional herbs can greatly reduce the severity of eczema symptoms. This approach is particularly worthwhile for patients who have not responded to typical Western eczema treatments.

Traditional Chinese Medicine views any skin disorder as the result of an imbalance within the body. Eczema is a skin condition associated with the functioning of the lungs, stomach, the heart and the blood. In Chinese medicine there are many different types of eczema. For example, if the skin is weeping and hot, the cause is likely to be Damp Heat; dryness and redness indicate Heat in the Blood and itchiness is usually attributed to Invasive Wind.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture and Chinese herbs can be prescribed to treat complex skin conditions such as eczema.