Chinese Medicine views skin disorders as external indications of internal organ imbalances. Chronic skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, are often reflections of long-standing health imbalances. When toxins accumulate in the body and fail to be properly eliminated, they manifest as skin issues. While Western Medicine typically offers quick relief using medications like anti-inflammatories or steroids, these solutions only provide temporary fixes. Once the medication is discontinued, symptoms tend to return and worsen.
What are the causes of Eczema and Psoriasis in Chinese Medicine?
Chinese Medicine adopts a comprehensive approach to managing skin issues by focusing on rebalancing the body’s internal systems to enhance skin health. In the case of Eczema, characterised by itchy, red, or oozing skin, it is believed to originate from the body’s inability to effectively eliminate dampness through urine or the digestive system due to deficiencies in the Spleen, Stomach, or Large Intestine. The accumulation of dampness disrupts metabolism, leading to conditions like allergies, inflammation, and fungal infections. Eczema symptoms can be flared up by factors such as weather, diet, and dust mites.
Eczema
Psoriasis, on the other hand, is viewed in Chinese Medicine as a circulation issue, and an autoimmune condition in Western medicine. Its hallmark features include red, thick, scaly patches on the skin that are asymmetrically located on the body. The Chinese Medicine diagnosis for Psoriases is often associated with factors like blood heat or blood stasis. These factors can be caused by chronic emotional stress, metabolic disorders, immune dysfunction or endocrine imbalances.
Psoriasis
How does Chinese Medicine help with Eczema and Psoriasis?
It is essential to recognise that skin issues can point to deeper imbalances in the body. Individuals with eczema may concurrently experience conditions such as asthma or allergies; likewise, patients with Psoriasis may also have underlying conditions. Utilising Chinese Medicine for skin concerns can yield various benefits, including strengthening the immune system, balancing hormones, facilitating toxin release that manifests in external symptoms, and repairing damaged skin.
While resolving skin issues through addressing internal imbalances with Chinese Medicine treatments may require time, achieving internal balance can alleviate flare-ups. The duration of the treatment course varies. Therefore, it is advised to consult with a proficient Chinese Medicine practitioner to determine the most suitable and effective treatment approaches for individual needs. At Nature Heals clinic, we acknowledge the interconnected nature of health concerns and offer a holistic approach. We specialise in Chinese Medicine in Melbourne, where we have observed a correlation between chronic eczema and psoriasis with the adverse effects of the cold climate on the body’s immune system.
Here are some recommendations for people suffering from Eczema and Psoriasis:
- Avoid scratching the affected area to prevent inflammation. Opt for light patting to alleviate itching.
- Dietary habits play a crucial role. Avoid cold and raw foods and inflammatory items like dairy, sugar, and gluten to expedite treatment and reduce recurrence risk.
- Manage excessive moisture from the environment by enhancing ventilation and reducing humidity levels. Exposure to moderate sunlight daily can help alleviate heat and itching from dampness.
- Maintain a healthy daily routine and boost the body’s resilience to accelerate skin healing.
- Reduce frequent use of Western corticosteroid medications for rapid itchiness relief as they may have adverse long-term effects on liver, kidney, and lung function, potentially exacerbating skin condition recurrences.