What is eczema?
Eczema refers to a group of conditions that causes the skin to become inflamed and irritated, appearing as red rashes or itching, peeling skin that could look either dry and flaky or thick and scaly.
Common causes of eczema
Eczema is typically understood to be caused by an immune system imbalance or over-activeness in reaction to both internal and external factors, and increasingly thought to be related to gut health imbalances, such as leaky gut syndrome. These are why weather changes, increased allergens, or even certain inflammatory foods can trigger eczema outbreaks.
Eczema in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), eczema is understood to be caused by deficiencies in the Spleen that may be coupled with pathogenic factors of wind, heat, and dampness. Each pathogenic factor has a relationship to a different set of organs in our bodies and the other factors. The various pathogenic factors also react differently based on other things happening to our bodies, resulting in eczema flare-ups.
At Oriental Remedies Group, we provide personalised TCM treatments for eczema. Our physicians will assess your condition and recommend the most suitable eczema treatment to help manage your ailment.
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Causes of Eczema in TCM
Skin problems like eczema can be triggered by a range of internal and external TCM factors, including Singapore’s humid climate and underlying imbalances in the body. By exploring the root causes of eczema through the lens of TCM, you will be better equipped in your treatment journey toward managing eczema flare-ups and improving overall skin health.
Internal Factors
Dampness
There are multiple elements causing Dampness:
- You might naturally have a damp body constitution from birth, which usually causes the body to feel lethargic and heavy, and to face more difficulties trying to lose weight.
- Eating overly spicy or oily foods too often places a burden on the Spleen. This impedes the body’s ability to “digest” or regulate the dampness from overly spicy or oily foods — this results in a build up of dampness in the body which can aggravate eczema on the skin.
- Having a weak Spleen can also hinder the body’s ability to regulate dampness in the body, as it is vital to the digestion and removal of excess dampness. You might either be born with a weak Spleen or could have developed it through having meals at irregular times, consuming cold drinks and foods, leading an overly stressful lifestyle, and not allowing yourself adequate rest.
Yin-Deficiency
The Yin and Yang energies are usually balanced in a healthy body. When Yin is deficient, Yang becomes stronger in comparison.
In TCM, Yang energy is “warm” while Yin is “cool”. If there is excess Yang, the body will skew towards having too much heat, which can deplete fluids in the body and cause the loss of moisture from the skin. The result of this is the aggravation of dry skin and eczema.
Common causes of Yin deficiency are:
- Having a naturally Yin deficient body constitution. People in this category usually already have very dry skin, and can feel thirsty easily and frequently, even after they have recently drunk water. They may also experience hot flashes and perspire more during sleep, or become easily frustrated.
- A poor diet with too much spicy or oily food, which can damage the Yin energy in the body.
Excess Heat
Excess heat in the body aggravates inflammation and causes the blood vessels to expand, which may result in the appearance of red skin on top of the other common sensations in eczema.
Excess heat can be contributed by:
- Eating a poor diet with excessive oily and spicy foods, which causes heatiness in the body.
- Aggravation by external heat — insufficient water intake in Singapore’s hot and humid weather can be a cause of heatiness.
External Factors
External Wind
Having wind or cold air blowing directly at the body from sources like fans or air conditioning can affect your susceptibility to eczema.
This is because when the body’s external defenses are weak, the weak skin barrier becomes susceptible to invasion by the external wind pathogen, and can result in itching.
External Dampness
When you are in an environment that has too much dampness, due to factors like being too humid or poorly ventilated, or if you have overly frequent contact with water, the external dampness that your body encounters also results in an accumulation of internal dampness within the body.
What do your eczema symptoms mean?
We go into more detail about the various pathogenic factors and deficiencies in the TCM eczema understanding here, but it is best to consult our TCM physicians to receive an accurate and personalised diagnosis for your eczema.
What is topical steroid withdrawal and red skin syndrome?
Without any clear conventional cure in Western medicine, eczema sufferers tend to use over-the-counter topical steroid creams to manage their itchiness and rashes. With long term use, they may end up developing an over-reliance on topical steroids. If that happens and they stop using topical steroid medications suddenly, they can experience topical steroid withdrawal, and that can develop into red skin syndrome.
Usual symptoms of topical steroid syndrome are burning or stinging sensations and severe itching on the skin, as well as dry and scaly patches emerging after redness begins to fade.
Red skin syndrome can result from topical steroid withdrawal, and specifically refers to the capillaries on the skin widening up after being artificially constricted by the topical steroids, and it can be accompanied by a burning sensation.
How TCM can improve your skin problems
At Oriental Remedies, we provide a range of TCM eczema treatments for patients in Singapore dealing with eczema, topical steroid withdrawal, and red skin syndrome.
We believe in integrating modern technologies with traditional TCM methods, allowing both treatment modalities to enhance each other symbiotically. With our unique technology-enhanced TCM treatment approach, we aim to provide eczema patients with long-lasting improvements to their skin problems and enhance their quality of life.
Our eczema treatments include herbal medication, dietary recommendations, acupuncture, paediatric massage, Electro-Lymphatic Therapy (ELT), and Cell Pro Therapy. Each therapy works towards rebalancing the body and restoring harmony, offering a holistic solution for skin health.
Herbal Medication and Dietary Changes
Internal Use (ingested)
Improving gut health is a key element in TCM eczema treatments, and incorporating both our dietary recommendations and herbal medication can help to remodel and regulate the gut microbiota. A well-balanced and well-functioning gut microbiome then helps to alleviate leaky gut syndrome, and subsequently have a positive impact on eczema flare-ups.
Herbal and diet-based TCM eczema treatments typically target the imbalances and deficiencies in the Spleen, Liver, and Kidneys. An example of a prescription might include fang feng 防风 or bai ji li 白蒺藜 to dispel wind, or tu fu ling 土茯苓 or jin yin hua 金银花 to dissipate heat and fire and calm inflammation if the patient is experiencing redness or a burning sensation on their skin.
For patients experiencing topical steroid withdrawal, herbal medication helps to repair the skin’s ability to function naturally, something that has been damaged through the use of topical steroids. This can positively affect both symptoms of eczema like itchiness, shedding of skin, and impaired perspiration relatively quickly, and eventually treat imbalances in the body that may have resulted in eczema in the first place.
Benefits of Taking Herbal Medication and Dietary Changes:
- Speed up skin recovery and scar healing
- Manage eczema symptoms like itch, dryness, flaking etc
- Balance immunity and organs
- Prevent invasion from pathogens (wind, heat, dampness)
External Use (herbal soak)
Patients may also be prescribed herbal soaks that are meant to protect the skin and promote skin recovery. The herbs help to reduce inflammation, itchiness, and wetness (oozing from the wound) around the affected areas.
Acupuncture
Another TCM eczema treatment, acupuncture is a method that targets specific meridian points in the body using fine needles to correct imbalances in the body’s organs. Acupuncture for eczema can be used in conjunction with the other TCM eczema remedies above and below.
Benefits of Acupuncture:
- Improve blood circulation to promote recovery
- Correct imbalances in the body
- Strengthen immunity
Electro-Lymphatic Therapy
Electro-Lymphatic Therapy (ELT) is a gentle and non-invasive therapy that helps to stimulate proper flow and drainage of the lymphatic system.
This is typically achieved with a manual lymphatic drainage massage or tui na massage therapy, but can be painful for some patients. In contrast, ELT is 8-10x more effective than these conventional methods in dispelling congested lymph fluids.*
Benefits of ELT for Eczema:
- Reduction in inflammation
- Less itch and redness
- Smoother skin recovery
Cell Pro Therapy
Cell Pro Therapy is a non-invasive therapy that uses a made-in-Japan wellness device to supply the body with a high density of negative ions. Negative ions exhibit antioxidant effects that neutralize harmful free radicals to support overall wellness.
Benefits of Cell Pro Therapy for Eczema:
- Manage inflammation
- Improve sleep quality
- Improve overall wellness
TCM provides a safe and effective approach to managing eczema in children
If you have concerns about TCM eczema treatments for children, we understand your apprehension. At Oriental Remedies in Singapore, we provide a range of non-invasive and gentle treatments tailored for young patients. Our approach prioritises your child’s overall well-being while effectively addressing eczema and related skin issues.
Pediatric Massage
Using gentler hand techniques specially designed for children, our pediatric massage helps to improve and regulate the flow of Qi and blood throughout the meridian channels and restore balance in the child’s body constitution.
Benefits of Pediatric Massage for Eczema:
- Balance immunity by soothing the Spleen and Lungs (triggers of eczema)
- Manage eczema symptoms (itch, redness, etc.)
- Promote skin recovery
Herbal Remedies for Children
Beyond prescribing herbal medications that are more suited to children, herbal baths and creams are also viable options for younger children who might not be so keen on taking the soups and teas brewed from Chinese herbs.
These are more soothing, chemical-free approaches that can help our younger patients receive their treatments more holistically, and can be particularly relieving for patients who might be suffering from over-reliance on steroids and topical steroid withdrawal or red skin syndrome
Acupuncture for Children
Acupuncture is also available for our younger patients who are open to it. Of course, acupuncture can seem scary to children, and parents will always have the option to choose the treatment that their child is most comfortable with. Our physicians will be there to advise and provide you with the treatment options available.
Most of the parents at our clinics do opt for pediatric massage for their young children since it is painless and gentle on the skin.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between red skin syndrome and topical steroid withdrawal?
Red skin syndrome and topical steroid withdrawal are just different names for the same thing.
Both refer to the conditions that emerge from pausing long term use of topical steroid medications on the skin. They can look like red, burning skin (hence the name, red skin syndrome), or might be bumpy rashes on the skin. The duration of this syndrome ranges from days to weeks after stopping the topical steroid.
How long does it take to see results from TCM eczema treatments?
It varies for each individual depending on every person’s unique body constitutions and what conditions they are affected by. However, we typically see our patients experience improvements in their skin condition between as soon as 1-2 months or up to 6 months.
Can eczema be cured with TCM?
While there are treatments available to help eczema sufferers manage their symptoms and flare-ups, there is no cure for the condition. TCM offers effective treatments that can relieve symptoms and address the underlying imbalances to improve overall skin health, reduce the frequency and severity of eczema flare-ups and provide long-lasting relief.
Which organ is linked to eczema?
In TCM, eczema is often associated with imbalances in the Liver, Spleen, and Lungs. These organs play crucial roles in maintaining skin health and overall well-being. By targeting these areas through TCM treatments, we can help restore balance and improve eczema symptoms.
Does eczema signify deficiency in Yin or Yang?
Eczema is typically considered a condition of excess heat, which aligns with the Yang aspect in TCM. However, it can also reflect a deficiency of Yin, leading to dry skin and irritation. TCM treatments aim to restore harmony between Yin and Yang, addressing the root causes of eczema for better skin health.