She came weekly at first, then every two weeks, then every three weeks.
At a glance
After more than five years of eczema with cracked, oozing, itchy skin, acupuncture and herbal medicine helped her skin return to smooth and normal in time for her wedding photos.
Presentation
A 35-year-old patient had eczema rashes on her face, neck, the inside of her elbows, abdomen, lower back, and both palms and fingers. She was very worried because her wedding was two months away.
Diagnosis
- The rashes on the neck and face were caused by Liver Qi stagnation with Liver fire and phlegm dampness.
- The rashes on the abdomen and lower back were caused by Qi stagnation and blood stasis.
- The rashes on the inside of the elbows, palms and fingers were caused by phlegm dampness and Heart fire.
Treatment
- Bai Chong Wo — an acupuncture point 3 cun above the top of the kneecap, used mainly for skin conditions and itching
- Dr. Haixia Ni’s “Skin Five plus 1” combination — [LI-11 (Quchi), SP-10 (Xuehai), SP-6 (Sanyinjiao), KD-9 (Zhubin), LI-4 (Hegu)] + ST-33 (Yinshi). ST-33 is added when the itching is worse at night.
- Herbal medicine — four formulas, taken in turn, to clear Liver Qi stagnation, Liver fire, phlegm dampness, blood stasis and Heart fire
Result
The rashes cleared from her face and neck after the first herbal formula, then from her abdomen and lower back after the second, and finally from her elbows, palms and fingers after the third and fourth. She looked beautiful in her wedding photos and was extremely happy.
Additional notes
This reflects an individual patient experience, not clinical trial data.
Results vary from person to person depending on the condition, its severity, and how an individual responds to treatment. TCM and acupuncture are not a substitute for care from your physician or another regulated health professional. If you’re dealing with a serious or urgent symptom, please see a doctor first.