Treatment of Eczema is Possible with Chinese Herbs and Acupuncture

Affecting about 15 million people in the United States, eczema is a skin disorder marked by dry, red, scaly skin patches that comes with severe itching. To treat the itching and inflammation medications such as corticosteroids are often used. However, these drugs come with nasty side effects such as weight gain, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, gastrointestinal problems, glaucoma, and cataracts. In lieu of medications, some people seek alternative types of treatment such as acupuncture therapy for the treatment of their eczema.

A study was conducted in Germany to see what type of treatment can produce the best results against eczema. Thirty people all with eczema participated in this study. They had the condition after being exposed pollen and dust mite allergens. The allergens caused severe symptoms and flare ups. The first treatment they received was “point-specific” acupuncture. This type of acupuncture directly treated the affected portions of the skin. The acupoints Hsuehai and Quchi were needled in this treatment. a placebo acupuncture type of treatment was next given and acupoints chosen during this phase of the study weren’t intended to relieve the itchiness. The final third treatment was zero treatment after exposure to the allergens.

Al the end of the study, all thirty patients showed a significant lessening of their itching after being treated. This result was much better than the ones seen in placebo acupuncture and zero treatment. In addition to that, there were interesting reports showing that when exposed a 2nd time to the allergen after being treated with “point-specific” acupuncture, the flare ups of the subjects were far less severe than before. This showed that a sustained improvement can be achieved after just a single point-specific acupuncture treatment. The conductors of the study concluded that using acupuncture at the correct acupoints can lead to a substantial lowering in type I hypersensitivity itch in patients suffering from atopic eczema.

Another study this time conducted in Palestine examined the usefulness of acupuncture combined with herbal medicine in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis. The study used 20 subjects around the ages of 13 and 48 who were treated with acupuncture and herbs for twelve weeks three times a week. After the third, sixth, ninth of twelfth week, the patients were evaluated. After the end of the study, the subjects showed a 45% improvement of their itch. They also stated that their quality of life improved by as much as 40%. These findings led the researchers to believe that a combination of Chinese herbal therapy and acupuncture can indeed provide significant benefits in the treatment of eczema.

These results proved that there is a direct connection between the reduction of itch in eczema sufferers and the use of acupuncture and Chinese herbs as treatments in Tarzana. The outcomes proved that there are other less and equally effective ways in treating eczema than potentially harmful prescription medications.

Acupuncture for Eczema

Eczema sufferers may be happy to know that Chinese medicine has been proven a very successful treatment for this chronic skin condition. Eczema responds very well to both the traditional Chinese medicine modalities of Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture.  Western medicine modes of treatment for eczema include the use of cortisone topical creams and other kinds of steroids that can aid in the removal of the lesions. The drawback to these treatments is that they do not prevent the condition from happening again.  A person experiencing recurring or chronic eczema may discover that Chinese medicine is a safer and more effective way of dealing with this skin problem.

How does Chinese Medicine Treat Eczema?

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) states that eczema is a delayed allergic reaction that is generated by aggravated external and internal factors. This means that eczema can arise from environmental factors or due to the state of your health. Certain individuals can also be genetically predisposed to it.  TCM believes that there are 3 classifications by which eczema is categorized:

Dietary irregularities – long term consumption of alcohol and sugary, greasy, or spicy foods can eventually weaken the body making it vulnerable to skin conditions such as weepy, red or itchy sores. This is because there is a gradual build up of toxins in the body due to undigested foods.  TCM looks into these three factors that can occur all at the same time in severe cases, and then treats them all at once.

Internal factors – They may arise due to an imbalance inside the body that may be the reason for the skin reaction. Internal factors may involve a hereditary condition, a longstanding illness preceding the eczema, or a problem in any of the organ systems.  The imbalance is oftentimes unremitting and chronic.

External factors – These types of factors cause hypersensitivity toward his/her environment and may involve exposure to toxic chemicals, asthma, frequent cold infections, seasonal allergies or hay fever. The sensitivity can result in acute episodes of eczema, often seasonal, or an aggravation of the sickness due to changes in the weather.

The use of Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture can lead to the following results:

-The removal of toxins from the skin, resulting in the treatment of the weepy, red or itchy sores
-The treatment and balance of the internal organ systems that may contribute to the development of eczema
-The strengthening of the immune system, helping lessen sensitivity to environmental and external hazards in the process

Traditional Chinese medicine is different to that of western medicine in that the treatment of skin problems entails a slow gradual process. The reason for this is that the body takes a while to regain its internal balance unlike western medicine which is to resolve the condition temporarily or topically. With TCM, the whole body is treated instead of only the affected parts of the skin as western medicine is wont to do. The whole treatment may take months to accomplish depending on how long the patient has had his/her eczema. TCM believes that when the skin becomes affected by a chronic condition, it can be a sign that the overall health of the patient has been weakened for a long time now.  When you go for acupuncture treatment, positive skin changes may be seen just right after the treatment session has ended.  Chinese herbal formula taken daily and acupuncture given for a month or two can give significant results within weeks.  As your skin condition gets better, acupuncture treatment may not be required regularly although Chinese herbal medicine needs to be taken daily. The length of your herbal treatment may depend on the severity of your symptoms.  One of the advantages of this treatment plan is that you will be less likely to have a repeat of your eczema ever again.

Other Modalities for the Treatment of Eczema

Diet has a significant role to play in the treatment of eczema.  Along with acupuncture, your acupuncturist may advice that you adhere to dietary guidelines that can exclude foods that may be causing your eczema. Also he may recommend supplements and vitamins that quicken the healing of your skin problem. Your acupuncturist may also recommend on the skin care products and topical treatments to use to help you heal and care for your skin

 

Eva Paglialonga is a licensed acupuncturist and massage therapist in Miami, FL and the medical director of Needles and Moxa Wellness Center.

Acupuncture for Eczema

Eczema is the term used to describe a variety of recurring skin problems, including dryness and particularly recurring skin rashes that have a single or multiple symptoms such as bleeding, oozing, cracking, blistering, flaking, crusting, dryness, itching, swelling or edema, or redness.

The rash can develop on any part of the skin, but unlike psoriasis, the rash usually develops on the flexor, inner, softer surfaces of the skin. Also, unlike psoriasis, there is absence of build-up of scaly plaque.

Diagnosis of Chinese Medicine

A Chinese diagnosis is made of skin rashes based on the qualities of the lesions. The condition may be caused by blood deficiency if the skin shows dryness. If the skin looks red, the patient may be suffering from inflammation (heat) in the blood- the more red the skin, the more heat is in the blood. This condition usually worsens in hot weather. Overwhelming cases of eczema are due to inflammation (heat) in the blood.

The skin condition may mean blood stagnation if the lesions show a purplish color. Heat may be present is there is any itching and the more itching is felt, the more heat is present in the body. A skin that shows oozing or blisters signifies that the patient is suffering from a damp condition according to Chinese medicine.

Acupuncture

Studies have revealed that acupuncture can help relieve the itch caused by eczema. One particular crossover, placebo-controlled,  randomized, blinded trial demonstrated the effectiveness of acupuncture on type I hypersensitivity itch as well as the flare and wheal reactions in adults suffering from atopic eczema. The researchers compared no acupuncture, placebo acupuncture and true acupuncture (at traditional acupuncture points) and discovered that when using the correct points, acupuncture provided a substantial decrease in type I hypersensitivity itch in subjects with atopic eczema. Over the course of time, the preventive point-specific effect lessened vis-à-vis the subjective itch sensation, and at the same time inhibiting skin-prick reactions.

Chinese Herbal Therapy

Chinese herbal medicine is considered the main form of treatment used by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners for eczema.  Formulas are customized for the patient in question, since no two cases have the same exact combination of blood stagnation, blood deficiency dampness or heat. A certain formula may be composed of herbs added to offset the degree of heat, etc. manifested by the patient.

Diet

Based on both modern research and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), dairy products fats, eggs and animal flesh are the primary promoters of eczema. Atopic skin disorders can be caused by food allergies so it is wise to undergo a food allergy test. Gluten in kamut, spelt, barley, rye, wheat and related grains can cause skin rashes in some individuals. Animal products though, are the more typical triggers.

Too much consumption of processed vegetable oils and sugar can lead to inflammation, so limiting thee items are recommended.  Acupuncturists and other TCM practitioners recommend a low allergen diet consisting of nuts, seeds, legumes fruits and vegetables. Thee foods have anti-inflammatory attributes and skin-healing nutrients such as healthy fats, zinc, and vitamin A.

 

Dr. Jack Handlin is an experienced acupuncturist, Chinese herbalist and oriental reproductive medicine specialist at Tree of Life Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine in Bellevue, WA.

Eczema – Preparing for your Appointment

Normally, it is not difficult coping with your eczema symptoms; however, if you find that your symptoms are worsening and becoming intolerable or if you notice new and unusual symptoms, scheduling an appointment with your doctor or skin care professional may be just the thing you need to address your worsening and unusual problems.  Below are some good tips on how to best prepare for your appointment.

The physician will converse with you regarding your medical and family history, allergies you may have and the medicines you are taking for your eczema and other conditions.  You need to answer the doctor’s questions as honestly as possible so he may come up with an accurate diagnosis and hence a right plan of treatment. To achieve this, you need to get as much information as you can about your medical history and keep a journal that contains all the important aspects of your health history in order not to forget them. Jot down your eczema symptoms and signs as well as their duration and the time and date they occurred. You also need to list down all the known and suspected factors that trigger or exacerbate your symptoms. These can be things like hot and long showers, sweating, cigarette smoke, detergents or soaps.

Your doctor or skin care professional may also ask you about any modifications you recently made to your lifestyle. He may also query you about some of the new products you’ve been using that he suspects to be triggers for your eczema. You need to include all types of drugs and skin products that you use including steroids, vitamins and herbal supplements. Stress is a big factor in causing eczema and you may need to tell your doctor if you have lately been under a great amount of stress.

You may undergo certain skin exams recommended by your doctor so he can diagnose the type of eczema you’re experiencing.  Corresponding treatments are given to certain types of eczema. Some symptoms may require the use of topical medications to alleviate symptoms such as irritation and redness. Oral medicines may be prescribed by the doctor if your symptoms are severe. You can write down all questions you have for your doctor so you may not forget to ask them during your appointment. Do not be ashamed asking questions that you think need to be asked to your doctor.

Some relevant questions you can ask your doctor regarding your eczema can include:

• What do you think are the causes of my eczema symptoms?
• Do I need to undergo tests to ascertain the diagnosis?
• What do you think is the best treatment plan for my condition?
• Is my skin condition temporary or long-term?
• Is it right to just wait for my condition to resolve on its own?
• What other treatment plans are available besides the ones you’re suggesting?
• What skin care regimens can you recommend to uplift my condition?

The doctor, in turn, will ask you a number of questions related to your conditions. The questions can come like these:

• When did you first notice your symptoms?
• How frequent do these symptoms occur?
• Are your symptoms occurring occasionally or continuous?
• What things seem to better your symptoms?
• What things seem to worsen your symptoms?
• Do you have allergies or asthma? Do any of your family members and close relatives have allergies or asthma?
• What skin products do you use?

 

Vital Gate Acupuncture
107 W 82nd St
New York, NY 10024
(212) 873-4244
http://www.vitalgate.com/

Definition of Eczema

Eczema is a Greek word that means ‘to boil over’.  It is a skin inflammation that is itchy and characterized as well by other symptoms like:

• Evidence of secondary infection like crusty deposits or weeping
• Blisters or lumps in the affected regions
• Dry skin that thickens in areas of the skin that have been scratched
• Redness on the affected areas of skin

Eczema is further classified into smaller subgroups according to the factors that mainly cause the eczema in the individual. However, the appearance and symptoms in the skin can also look the same in the different types of eczema. The classification of eczema may not be as accurate as one wants it to be since each person can develop eczema from different causes or factors. Nevertheless, the treatment approaches of the different types of eczema can all be the same.

The basic differences are the individual’s unique responses to the factors causing his eczema.  If, for example, his eczema has got to do with his exposure to a chemical irritant at work, protection or removal of this irritant will become an integral part in the management of his eczema as opposed to another individual who is not affected by this exposure.

Types of Eczema

The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis. It usually strikes people who also suffer from:

• Problems in the barrier of the skin that causes moisture to seep out and germs to set into the skin
• Family history of hay fever, asthma or eczema
• Hay fever or asthma

Atopic dermatitis often develops early in life. It can set in during infancy or childhood but it can also develop at any stage in life.

Parts of the body affected by this disorder include:

• Back of the knees
• Inner elbows
• Feet
• Hands
• Face

Continuous scratching on the affected areas can cause the skin to turn and red and thicken. Persistent scratching can also cause wounds that can develop infection. Products considered irritants for many people that worsen the symptoms of atopic dermatitis include:

• Household chemicals
• Coarse clothing
• Perfumed soap

Dust mites, certain foods and other allergens can also worsen the symptoms.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis has two forms:

• Allergic contact dermatitis
• Irritant contact dermatitis

Both these forms can arise when a substance damages the skin. Frequent hand washing and certain chemicals are some of the factors that can cause contact dermatitis.  Things like poison ivy, cosmetics and nickel are some of the more typical ones that can cause allergic contact dermatitis. Irritant contact dermatitis, on the other hand, is caused by repeated skin contact with an irritating substance.

The hands are the most susceptible parts of the body that can develop contact dermatitis.

Dyshidrotic Dermatitis

This is a form of eczema that targets the hands and feet. Dyshidrotic dermatitis develops from unknown causes and is characterized by extreme itching then skin blisters which can turn into scaly patches a few weeks later. Occasionally the skin of the fingers or hands develops deep cracks from this condition. Dyshidrotic dermatitis can become painful and chronic.

Nummular Dermatitis

Men are more prone to this skin condition than women. Men often develop nummular dermatitis before they reach their mid-50s; women are likely to develop this condition during their teens or early adulthood.

This type of dermatitis is characterized by red marks that look like coins appearing usually on the:

• Hips
• Lower back
• Forearms
• Back of the hands
• Legs

Nummular dermatitis stems from unknown causes but risk factors for this skin problem can include exposure to:

• Metals especially nickel
• Chemicals like formaldehyde
• Dry, cold air

Neurodermatitis

This eczema type is characterized by itchy skin spots that develop from continuous scratching.  Neurodermatitis can develop in the person’s:

• Behind and inside of the ear
• Ankles
• Wrists
• Scalp
• Genitals
• Back or sides of the neck

Because of consistent scratching, neurodermatitis can turn into a skin outbreak that is albeit limited in scope; however, the affected skin can become extremely wrinkled and thicken and sometimes infection can develop in the affected areas.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

More popularly known as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis in infants usually develops in the scalp while adults may develop this common type of eczema in the:

• Center of their chest
• Groin
• Parts behind the ears
• Sides of the nose

Seborrheic dermatitis can make the skin fall off in flakes.  An overgrowth of a certain type of yeast is one suspected factor in causing this skin condition residing in the aforementioned parts of the body.  Overproduction and the immediate shedding of skin on the scalp is also another cause.  People with autoimmune disease may find it hard to treat this harmless condition.

Stasis Dermatitis

Stasis dermatitis can occur when the veins in lower legs of people are not strong enough to transport blood back to the heart. This type of eczema causes crusting and weeping of the skin and can develop quickly. Eventually, stasis dermatitis can lead to the development of brown stains in the skin after a certain period of time.

Acupuncture Health Center
1303 Astor St #101
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 715-1824
http://www.bellinghamacupuncturecenter.com/