TCM Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment for Skin Allergies
Urticaria, eczema, and atopic dermatitis are allergic skin diseases, commonly seen in individuals with histories of asthma or allergic rhinitis. Besides standard antiallergic medications, TCM therapy can also yield satisfactory results.
From a TCM perspective, allergic constitution mainly arises from dysfunction of the lung, spleen, and kidney organs. The lung governs respiration; if it fails to withstand cold or heat, it becomes vulnerable to external pathogens like wind-cold, leading to skin discomfort. The spleen governs transformation and transportation; nutritional imbalances damage the spleen and stomach, impairing metabolism and causing fluid retention and phlegm accumulation, which trigger food allergies. The kidney governs qi reception and regulates water metabolism. If kidney yang is deficient, qi reception falters, water vaporization becomes disordered, leading to dry skin and hard, constipated stools.
Based on syndrome differentiation, TCM categorizes these conditions into three types:
· Damp-Heat Internal Accumulation: Patients often present with blisters containing fluid. After scratching, the skin appears red and eroded, with exudate forming thick yellow crusts. Associated symptoms include hard stools and yellow urine, a red tongue. Treatment focuses on clearing damp-heat, eliminating intestinal heat, and promoting bowel movements. Formula: Xiao Feng San with modifications.
· Spleen Deficiency with Excessive Dampness: After scratching, the skin shows shallow red or skin-colored erosion with slow-drying exudate and thin yellow crusts. Symptoms include sallow complexion, fatigue, poor appetite, and a pale red tongue. Treatment aims to strengthen the spleen, remove dampness, enhance spleen-stomach function, and tonify kidney qi. Formula: Shen Ling Bai Zhu San.
· Yin Deficiency with Blood Dryness: The edges of rashes appear faint red or dark red, with rough, dry skin covered in scales. Patients feel dry mouth but dislike drinking water, with a red or dark red tongue. Treatment focuses on nourishing yin, enriching blood, moistening dryness, strengthening lung yin, and improving the spleen’s ability to absorb moisture and nutrients to eliminate dryness and itching. Formula: Dang Gui Yin Zi with modifications.
Special reminder: Individuals with allergic constitutions should avoid shrimp, crab, shellfish, cold drinks, and cold foods before and after conditioning therapy to prevent symptom recurrence and interfere with treatment efficacy. Also, avoid allergens, maintain regular exercise, relax the mind, and enhance immunity—significant improvements in allergic constitution are achievable.