Eczema & Topical Steroid Withdrawal – How Does TCM Help?

WE COMBINE THE WISDOM OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE, MODERN TECHNOLOGY, AND PATIENT-CENTERED CARE FOR YOU TO THRIVE IN TODAY’S FAST-PACED WORLD. Share Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions. In Singapore, the prevalence of eczema is one of the highest in the world with 1 in 10 adults known to have eczema [1]. As for eczema among children, research done locally found a higher rate of 2 in 10 children [2]. The impact of eczema on an individual is not only limited to one’s physical health, such as skin discomfort and pain but can also affect one’s mental and emotional health. Daily battles with the condition can be traumatic and many eczema patients struggle with self-esteem issues. Over at Oriental Remedies Group (ORG), we have helped many eczema and Topical Steroid Withdrawal patients manage their condition. We strive to help patients manage their eczema better and improve their quality of life to #BeTheBestYouCanBe. In this article, we help you understand the causes of eczema and share some treatment options that can help alleviate symptoms and reduce flare-ups. What is Eczema? Eczema refers to a group of conditions that causes inflammation and irritation of the skin. There are several different kinds of eczema, the most common one is known as Atopic Dermatitis. In mild cases of eczema, the skin will be dry and sensitive. In more severe cases, the skin will itch intensely and flaking occurs. Oozing, crusting, bleeding and infections can also occur [3]. Eczema is known to occur due to an overactive immune system. This results in abnormal responses to internal and external triggers. Internal triggers include poor liver function, high-stress levels and adrenal glands imbalances. External triggers include environmental factors (dust, weather, exposure to water, use of cosmetics etc.) and diet (high inflammatory foods, allergy-causing foods It is important for eczema sufferers to identify and avoid allergens as they can cause or worsen eczema flare-ups. Some common examples of allergens include dairy products, nuts, wheat, shellfish, foods high in chemical additives and alcohol. It is also important to note that causes of eczema flare-ups are different for each individual, and similarly so for the intensity of the flare-ups. More recently, the importance of gut health and the relationship between poor gut health and skin issues is increasingly gaining public attention. Our gut contains trillions of strains of bacteria and microbes, called the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome helps maintain balance in our body systems. However, when there is dysregulation in the gut microbiome such as in the case of a leaky gut, skin issues will arise. Research has shown a link between leaky gut and Atopic Dermatitis [4][5]. “There seem to be three major reasons why patients seek alternative medicine for atopic dermatitis: First, we simply don’t yet have a cure for this disease. Second, we can’t yet clearly explain why this disease occurs. While doctors try hard to describe factors that play a role in atopic dermatitis, such as cytokines and inflammatory cells, we still can’t pinpoint the root of the disease. Third, the outcomes of conventional atopic dermatitis treatments are not always consistent, and sometimes they are perceived as being unsafe.” — Peter Lio, M.D What is Topical Steroid Withdrawal, Topical Steroid Addiction and Red Skin Syndrome? Topical corticosteroids is one of the most widely and inexpensive drugs used in dermatology to manage eczema. They work by reducing inflammation in the body and are like the corticosteroids made biologically by the adrenal glands. Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW) is a term used to refer to symptoms that arise in the days and weeks after an individual stops topical steroid usage. The symptoms include but are not limited to more pronounced burning, stinging or painful skin, a “red sleeve” pattern on the arms and legs that may be accompanied by swelling, and new areas of eczema that have never appeared before. It has been suggested that topical steroid withdrawal is associated with the use of medium to high potency topical and/or oral steroids, but there have been exceptions to this as well. Given that topical steroid withdrawal is still a relatively new area, much more research is still underway. [6] For individuals undergoing topical steroid withdrawal, it can be unbearably exhausting on many levels – physical, emotional, social and financial. Instances such as having to be homebound and in isolation be it for months or years are very real struggles. It is not an easy journey. With social support and the right treatments to rebuild the body’s system, individuals undergoing topical steroid withdrawal can definitely be better supported in their journey of recovery. Besides Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW), Topical Steroid Addiction (TSA) and Red Skin Syndrome (RSS) are also two other syndromes that patients experience. While these terms are sometimes used exchangeably, there are differences between them. TSA refers to the origin of TSW, by which the body develops tolerance to topical corticosteroids, and as such, requires a higher dosage of the drug in order for one’s eczema condition to achieve the same effect that is initially achieved by a lower dosage. For TSA, periods of withdrawal from topical corticosteroids will cause a rebound of eczema symptoms. Other symptoms of TSA include redness in areas where the drug is not being applied as well as intense itching, burning and stinging [7] [8]. RSS on the other hand is a symptom of TSW and specifically refers to capillaries on the skin widening up after being artificially constricted by topical steroids. It can be accompanied by body redness or flushing, as well as painful burning and stinging sensations The root cause of eczema in Traditional Chinese Medicine According to the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) view, eczema is commonly caused by deficiencies in the organs of Liver, Spleen and Kidney combined with pathogenic factors of wind (风邪), heat (暑邪) and dampness (湿邪). 1) Pathogenic Factor – Wind (风邪) In TCM, it is explained that illnesses that stem from pathogenic factors will reflect similar characteristics. We can all agree that wind

5 Ways To Strengthen Your Immunity Naturally | The TCM Way

WE COMBINE THE WISDOM OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE, MODERN TECHNOLOGY, AND PATIENT-CENTERED CARE FOR YOU TO THRIVE IN TODAY’S FAST-PACED WORLD. Share A collaboration with Eatprayflying, originally posted on Eatprayflying.com Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) came under the global spotlight earlier this year when it served a critical role in China’s battle with COVID-19. As scientists around the world are racing against time to formulate a vaccine, more individuals worldwide are turning to traditional remedies to strengthen their immune system. In TCM, your body houses a vital energy called Qi which essentially creates a protective shield, protecting you from external pathogens. This is why TCM focuses on nourishing your Qi to strengthen your immune system! Signs of weak immunity A simple 👅 test can also indicate the state of your immunity – take a mirror or use your smartphone camera to do a quick check! A tongue with scallop outline/teeth marks and a greasy coating (middle picture) is a sign of Qi deficiency and weakened immunity. Other signs of a compromised immune system: Frequent colds/ flus/ body aches Chronic Fatigue Digestive Issues Chronic skin conditions, allergies and inflammation So what can you do to improve your immunity? 1) Eat yellow foods  Did you know? Nearly 70% of your immune system is located in your digestive tract? This is why your gut health is so important in maintaining your overall health and immune system. According to TCM’s 5 element theory, the spleen is responsible for your body’s digestive functions and is linked to the colour yellow. Hence, yellow foods helps to nourish your spleen and improve your gut health. Best yellow foods for healthy diet: Pumpkin Sweet Potato Ginger Turmeric 2) Incorporate Huang Qi (Astragalus) for immunity Huang Qi (Astragalus) is one of the most commonly used herbs in TCM for Qi nourishment and has been an ancient favourite for more than 2000 years! It also has immunoregulatory, anticancer, antitumor and antioxidant properties, making it a powerful all-rounder. [1] Pro-tip: Choose The Right Huang Qi I always go for premium Huang Qi which is naturally grown and harvested – this means that they are chemicals & pesticides free! How to tell organic wild Huang Qi from farmed ones? 💛 Colour – Sliced organic Huang Qi’s yellow colour can vary from plant to plant depending on the environment it grows in. Cultivated ones tend to have a stronger yellow colour. 🌿 Fibre Pattern – Fibres on organic Huang Qi slices are not so defined and the pattern also varies from plant to plant. How to use Huang Qi? Physician Leong Weizhen from Oriental Remedies Group (TCM chain in Singapore) recommends using 1-3g of Huang Qi (with up to 1.5L of water) to brew tea on a daily basis 🍵  *Editor’s note: I’m personally very lazy to concoct my own tea so I usually opt for pre-packed tea bags like Oriental Remedies Group’s Immunity Tea! 3) Massage acupressure points Use 4 of your own fingers to get an estimate of 3 inches TCM Physician’s recommendations Massage each point twice a day using finger massage/palmar massage Finger Massage: up to 5mins each time Palmar Massage: 10 – 15mins each time ☝🏽 Finger massage Press in deep and rotate your fingers, your fingers should be in contact with your abdomen as you massage the points. ✋🏽Palmar massage Place both palms facing your abdomen, one palm on top of the other and rotate both palms together in a single direction. 4) Reduce stress and get enough sleep Chronic stress and sleep deprivation (sleep hrs and quality) can weaken your Qi and immunity. This is very common in busy professionals who lead a stressful life with little time to unwind and rest. 💆🏻 Destress and refresh Set aside time for relaxation – if you don’t plan to take a break, you plan to not take a break. Prevent missing out on your downtime by creating an event on your work calendar, treat it as a task instead of an indulgence! 🛌 Get enough sleep hours and quality sleep Adults should aim to get 7 hours of good quality sleep daily. If you find it difficult to fall asleep or wake up feeling lethargic despite enough sleep hours, you could be making these 3 mistakes. More tips on how to sleep better here I used to think I could repay my slept debt during the weekends, little did I know that it was affecting my sleep quality! I shared more about tips on how to sleep better in another post – learn more! 5) Wind Researchers found that air pollution can suppress the immune system’s natural functions and was linked to causing a greater severity of asthma symptoms and lower lung capacity. [2] Prolonged exposure to poor air quality can cause chronic inflammation, asthma is merely one of the resulting conditions due to a malfunctioning immune system. TCM Physician’s recommendations Massage each point twice a day using finger massage/palmar massage Finger Massage: up to 5mins each time Palmar Massage: 10 – 15mins each time While plants are great additions to spruce up your place, their abilities in purifying the air of pollution has been overstated. They are unable to clean the air quickly enough to improve the air quality. [3] 🍃 Air Ionisers are more effective in cleaning the air Air ionisers emit negative ions that eliminate airborne pollutants including dust, bacteria and even viruses. Negative Ions work by attracting positively-charged pollutants in the air by making them heavier and fall to the ground. As a result, the air that we breathe in is now cleaned and safer. [4] PS, I invested in a Reltec’s Air Ioniser years ago and it is still going strong. It is a robust machine that is portable and small so you can keep it anywhere and move it to any indoor area as you wish. It’s currently on sale so it’s a great time to get your hands on one – more info here. On Sale: Reltec’s Air Ioniser As Singapore reopens