Can Eczema Be Cured with TCM? A Holistic Approach to Skin Health

Eczema, a common ailment in Singapore, affects around 20% of children and 10% of adults, as reported by Channel News Asia. This condition doesn’t just mar the skin with red, itchy patches; it also disrupts daily life, making concentration difficult due to the constant discomfort and itch. As such, many sufferers find themselves grappling not only with the physical symptoms but with the psychological strain they cause.

This raises an important question for those affected: What are effective ways to manage the troublesome symptoms of eczema? And can Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) do anything about it?

Understanding Eczema: More Than Just Itchy Skin

But first, let’s get a clear understanding of what eczema really is.

Before we look at how to manage its symptoms, it’s important to grasp the fundamentals of this condition. After all, eczema is more than just dealing with dry, itchy skin—it’s about coming to terms with a complex skin disorder that can significantly impact your daily life and well-being.

What is Eczema?

Eczema is a chronic condition characterised by recurring inflammation and irritation of the skin. It also falls under the broader category of dermatitis, which encompasses a variety of conditions that all lead to skin inflammation.

It typically makes the skin dry, itchy, and prone to bumps as this ailment undermines the skin’s barrier function, which is crucial for retaining moisture and shielding the body from external irritants.

What Are the Types of Eczema?

Eczema also manifests in various forms, each influenced by specific triggers that compromise the skin’s ability to function as a barrier. Some common types include:

  • Atopic Dermatitis: Typically, it tends to begin in childhood and can persist into adulthood. It is linked with allergies and a family history of similar conditions.
  • Contact Dermatitis: Flares up when your skin reacts to certain substances, either due to irritation or an allergic response.
  • Dyshidrotic Eczema: Affects the hands and feet, characterised by itchy blisters.
  • Neurodermatitis: This leads to thick, scaly patches on the skin.
  • Nummular Eczema: Known for its distinctive round spots of irritated skin.
  • Seborrheic Dermatitis: Usually found on oily areas of the body like the scalp.

It’s not uncommon for someone to experience more than one type of eczema simultaneously, making management and treatment a tailored process.

Stages of Eczema

Eczema evolves through three main stages, each with distinct symptoms and challenges:

  • Acute Eczema: The onset of eczema, often identified by an itchy rash appearing in various body parts simultaneously. These rashes can be symmetrical and manifest as different types of skin lesions, such as red patches, blisters, or bumps. The skin at the centre of these rashes is usually most severely affected. Triggers like scratching, hot water, alcohol, and spicy foods can intensify the itchiness, leading to more severe reactions or even infections.
  • Subacute Eczema: This intermediate stage is characterised by less severe but more persistent symptoms. The skin may become flaky and cracked, and while the itching may lessen, it does not necessarily indicate healing. During this stage, the skin also develops more papules, crusts, and scales, with itching often intensifying at night. Without appropriate management, subacute eczema can revert to the acute stage, remain steady, or progress to chronic eczema.
  • Chronic Eczema: In the chronic stage, symptoms become more entrenched, and the skin can thicken, crack, and show increased scaling and hyperpigmentation. This stage results from prolonged or poorly managed eczema and is characterised by persistent, intense itching that worsens at night or under stress. Affected areas may develop secondary skin changes like lichenification (thick, rough skin), scales, and painful fissures.

Who Does Eczema Affect?

So, who is most likely to be affected by eczema?

This condition can appear at any age, although it often starts in childhood and can persist or recur throughout adulthood. Those at a higher risk include individuals with a family history of eczema or related conditions such as dermatitis, allergies, hay fever, or asthma.

How Common is Eczema?

As mentioned, eczema is one of the most common skin conditions in Singapore, impacting a significant portion of the population. According to recent data published by The Straits Times, the National Skin Centre (NSC) reported handling over 14,000 new cases of eczema in the year ending March 31, 2023.

Beyond that, this condition affects about one in five children and one in ten adults across the country. And in recognition of its prevalence, the NSC was even awarded a substantial grant by the National Medical Research Council. This funding supports the Atopic Dermatitis Research Programme for Patients (Adept), a four-year initiative aimed at advancing research and improving treatments for those suffering from eczema.

What Are the Symptoms of Eczema?

So, what exactly does eczema feel like?

While there is no doubt that the symptoms of eczema are often quite noticeable, it can also greatly affect your comfort and skin health. This is because they typically lead to severe itching, noticeable redness, and significant dryness. People with eczema also experience rashes, bumps on the skin, thick and leathery patches, as well as flaky, scaly, or crusty skin that may swell in affected areas.

What Does an Eczema Rash Look Like?

And when it comes to the appearance of an eczema rash, it can vary significantly depending on your skin tone. For those with lighter skin, rashes might appear pink, red, or purple, while for those with darker skin, the rash may show as purple, brown, or grey. In addition, these rashes can change during different stages of eczema, becoming more pronounced during flare-ups.

Where Do Symptoms of Eczema Appear on My Body?

Eczema can flare up nearly anywhere on the body but commonly affects certain areas more than others.

You’re likely to see eczema on your hands, neck, elbows, ankles, knees, and feet. It often appears on the face, too, especially the cheeks, around the ears, and on the lips. While it’s less usual, eczema can also occur in sensitive areas like the nipples, breasts, and genital regions.

What Causes Eczema?

Now, what exactly triggers eczema?

When it comes to eczema, there is no one cause, but rather a mix of genetic, immune, and environmental factors. But in general, if someone in your family has had eczema, allergies, asthma, or hay fever, you might be more likely to develop it too. This is because your genes affect how your skin’s barrier works against irritants and allergens.

Environmental factors like smoke, pollution, harsh soaps, certain fabrics, and extreme weather conditions can also irritate your skin and exacerbate eczema. Moreover, stress and emotional well-being play significant roles as high levels of stress can lead to more frequent flare-ups.

What Triggers Eczema to Flare Up?

Eczema flare-ups can vary greatly from one person to another, influenced by a range of triggers.

Common factors include dry weather which makes the skin itchy and brittle, irritating materials like wool, certain makeup or skincare products, airborne irritants like smoke and pollutants, and harsh soaps or detergents. Emotional stress is another significant trigger, affecting how frequently and severely eczema symptoms appear.

Cause of Eczema from a TCM Perspective

If you are looking to supplement modern medicine with alternative therapies, understanding how TCM views eczema can offer valuable insights.

Modern Medicine’s Perspective on Eczema

As mentioned above, modern medicine identifies eczema as a condition influenced by multiple factors.

Genetically, eczema often runs in families, indicating a strong genetic predisposition. Factors such as defects in the skin barrier, which lead to increased sensitivity and dryness, and a heightened immune response that triggers inflammation, are also critical. Environmental triggers further complicate these interactions, contributing to the disease’s complexity.

TCM’s Understanding of Eczema

On the other hand, in TCM, eczema is primarily attributed to what is known as “Wind-Dampness-Heat.” This condition stems from imbalances within the body, particularly within the Spleen and Stomach, which are crucial for digestion and overall skin health.

TCM theory also suggests that an unhealthy diet rich in spicy, pungent, or oily foods can weaken the Spleen and Stomach. This weakening leads to a failure to transform food into nourishment, resulting in the accumulation of Dampness and Heat.

Simultaneously, external Wind invades, and together with internal Dampness-Heat, it manifests as the itchy, inflamed rash typical of eczema.

How Can TCM Help with Eczema?

Should you visit a TCM practitioner to manage the symptoms of eczema, TCM approaches the condition with the goal of restoring the body’s balance. The primary focus is on clearing heat, managing dampness, relieving itching, and achieving overall balance, which are crucial steps in addressing eczema according to TCM principles.

TCM Modalities for Eczema

TCM offers several approaches to manage eczema, each tailored to the individual’s symptoms and the stage of their condition:

  • Herbal Concoctions: TCM practitioners use customised herbal formulas to address specific stages and symptoms of eczema. For example, during the acute stage, herbs that clear heat, drain dampness, and relieve itching are commonly given. As eczema progresses to more chronic stages, the focus may shift to herbs that tonify the blood and dispel wind to alleviate the symptoms.
  • Topical Medications: Various TCM-based topical itch relief herbal creams and ointments might be provided to be applied to the affected areas of the skin to soothe the itchiness.

Additional Skin Care Tips for Eczema

Alongside TCM, certain lifestyle and self-care practices can also help in managing eczema:

  • Avoid Scratching and Irritants: Keep fingernails short and avoid irritants such as wool and synthetic fabrics.
  • Proper Skin Hygiene: Wash affected areas with lukewarm water using gentle, fragrance-free cleansers. In addition, be sure to avoid hot showers as they can dry out the skin further.
  • Frequent Moisturising: Apply moisturiser immediately after bathing to lock in moisture. Opt for thick, cream-based moisturisers without fragrances or irritants.
  • Suitable Clothing: Wear soft, breathable fabrics like cotton to reduce skin irritation and discomfort.
  • Dietary Adjustments: Pinpoint and eliminate the specific foods that trigger your individual flare-ups.
  • Cautious Use of Topical Steroids: Use steroid creams or ointments only under medical supervision to control inflammation during severe flare-ups, ensuring they are not overused to avoid potential side effects.

Integrating TCM in Eczema Management

Exploring TCM for eczema in Singapore can provide alternative relief options, including addressing hives with TCM approaches. For optimal results, consider what foods to avoid, as dietary changes can significantly impact symptoms.

With TCM, personalised herbal programmes and lifestyle adjustments form a holistic approach to managing eczema, complementing conventional therapies for comprehensive skin health care.

As such, consider consulting with TCM practitioners alongside dermatologists who can provide personalised care plans, potentially easing the daily burden of eczema.

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