Skin Disorders

Skin diseases are more than just itching—they encompass a wide range of conditions that can cause significant distress for those unfamiliar with them. Apart from skin disorders linked to the immune system, environmental factors and microorganisms also play key roles. Conditions like eczema, heat rashes, athlete’s foot, winter itchiness, atopic dermatitis, scabies, hives, acne, and more underline the varied nature of skin maladies, collectively known as “skin diseases.” With such a diverse spectrum of skin problems, finding the right treatment can feel overwhelming.

For many individuals grappling with the side effects of long-term use of conventional skin medications, turning to alternative therapies like Chinese Medicine is a common choice, leading to questions about the effectiveness of Chinese Medicine in treating skin diseases. Chinese Medicine indeed offers a promising approach to addressing skin conditions.

At our clinic, these are the common skin conditions that we see:

  • Eczema

  • Psoriasis

  • Acne

  • Rosacea

  • Shingles
  • Rashes and Hives

  • Viral and Fungal Infections

While Western medicine can provide quick relief for skin discomfort, prolonged use of medications can lead to irreversible side effects, prompting patients to explore Chinese Medicine after exhausting conventional options. Western medicine excels in managing short-term inflammations or infections, while Chinese Medicine proves effective for chronic conditions and constitutionally induced skin diseases. Chinese Medicine focuses on holistic concepts and treatment strategies that align with the body’s balance.

Chinese Medicine employs both internal and external approaches to treat skin diseases. External interventions include ointments, herbal formulations, and surgical procedures, while internal methods involve Acupuncture and Herbal medicine tailored to individual syndrome differentiation. This combined approach significantly aids in the recovery from skin diseases.

In clinical practice, various internal treatment methods are utilised, such as:

  • Exterior-Releasing Method: When the wind manifests as skin itchiness and moving skin symptoms, this method aims to address superficial skin conditions by using herbs that expel external wind and induce sweating for symptom relief.
  • Heat-Clearing Method: Skin redness, burning sensation, and pain indicate the characteristic of heat. This method employs cooling herbs to eliminate internal heat toxins, particularly beneficial for inflammatory conditions like carbuncles and acne.
  • Dampness-Resolving Method: Symptoms such as skin itchiness, flakiness, oozing pus and blisters suggest dampness. This method focuses on eliminating dampness pathogens using drying and damp-draining herbs, suitable for patients with damp tendencies or damp-heat conditions like eczema and athlete’s foot.
  • Clearing Method: This method utilises purgative herbs to expel internal heat toxins, beneficial for conditions where toxins accumulate internally, such as drug adverse reactions, microorganism-induced skin diseases, etc.
  • Tonifying Method: Boosting the body with herbs strengthens the immune system and facilitates healing, especially beneficial for individuals with weakened constitutions or complicated skin diseases, such as hormone imbalance and autoimmune conditions.

Accurate diagnosis is essential for appropriate treatment due to the diverse nature and varying severities of these skin diseases. While Chinese Medicine treatments may take time to address internal imbalances, achieving internal harmony can prevent recurrent flare-ups. The length of treatment course varies, it is best to consult with a qualified  Chinese Medicine practitioner for personalised and effective care.