Acupuncture  Blog Alternative to hydrocortisone
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Alternative to hydrocortisone |
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Disorders -
Dermatology
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Monday, 09 October 2006 |
For any skin disorder, it is important to get a diagnosis from a good dermatologist. They can do some tests to verify and disprove serious underlying conditions. A common medical treatment for eczema, a recurring chronic condition, is topical steroids. After seeing a medical doctor, contacting a Chinese herbalist may be the next step, especially when the patient does not respond well to conventional medicine. In most cases, after meeting and examining the patient, a Chinese herbalist will prescribe an herbal formula which will treat atopic eczema. Depending on the condition and the herbalist, the patient will receive a combination of an external ointment and a tea decoction or herbal pills. If the patient has a history of sensitivity to medications and is concerned about the effects of herbs, they might consider taking a liver function test every 3 weeks. Taking a break from the herbs to let the body metabolize the substances is another way to moderate any undesired effects.
Most people suffering from atopic eczema start to experience the symptoms before the age of 6 months but half of these cases clear by about age of 13. The cardinal sign is itching but individuals also commonly suffer from hives and food allergies. Usually, if both parents are affected, the onset is after age one, and eczema appears in conjunction with asthma and rhinitis, the prognosis is worse.
In practice, it is common to divide atopic eczema into infantile phase, childhood phase and adult phase.
2-6 months of age: The eczema usually starts on the face and scalp; rashes are very dry and half of them will clear by 18 months.
18 months to puberty: The lesions tend to leave the face and move to the four flexures—wrist, ankles and the side and front of the neck.
Puberty and onward: The face often gets involved again, in addition to the flexors and dorsum of the hand. There is more diffuse redness and scaling. In severe cases, discoloration around the neck is common (also called “dirty neck syndrome”).
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) early children have a predisposition to develop heart fire. Children also have an underdeveloped digestive system, so weakness of the spleen can generate dampness. In the case of eczema, TCM believes that the dampness, in combination with an internally generated fire, obstructs nourishment to the skin. The skin then becomes susceptible to an exterior attack by wind, damp and heat. The most common patterns seen in the clinic are damp heat, blood heat with wind, and fire toxins.
DAMP HEAT:
Those suffering from a damp heat pattern usually are affected on the lower body parts. The lesions are well- defined and also affect specific areas such as the ears, nipples, thighs and genitals. Such lesions are mildly itchy, but they have a tendency to crust. Erosions at the base of the nail are less common, but can also take place.
BLOOD HEAT with WIND:
Blood heat patterns affect the upper body. Red eruptions on the face, chest and back are very common and they also are quite itchy. The lesions are often very dry and scaly with less crusting.
TOXIC HEAT:
When there is severe itching, pain, and a burning sensation of the skin, the cause of the lesions are usually fire toxins. Fire toxin lesions become active suddenly, and have a tendency to lead to bacterial or viral eczema. When this type of infected eczema becomes widespread, immediate emergency care is needed.
Chinese medicine commonly refers to atopic eczema conditions as "Wind of the Four Crooks" and "stubborn dampness". There are also many other names in the Chinese Medical theory. Atopic Eczema is usually named by the location and particular characteristics of the rash. For example, atopic eczema localized in the navel is known as “umbilical sores.” If it is localized in the scrotum, it is known as “scrotum wind” etc. Chinese medicine is very safe and effective when treating atopic eczema, especially if it’s done by a certified herbalist. Go to www.nccaom.org to find a practitioner. In mild cases, people should start to see a response within 1-3 weeks of beginning an herbal treatment, while more stubborn chronic conditions might take 3-6 months to clear.
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