Atopic dermatitis is a common chronic neurological dermatosis of the skin characterised by localised moss-like skin lesions with paroxysmal itching. In adults, the lesions are usually located on the neck, face, extremities, especially the crooks of the elbows and backs of the knees. The localised lesions are called localised atopic dermatitis and are the most common form. The pathological changes are characterised by hyperkeratosis of the epidermis and hypertrophy of the horny layer.
Symptoms
Itching
Redness
Scaling
Vesicle formation
Pain in overstimulated areas
Based on different body constitutions and the dialectical diagnosis, we select different acupuncture points and herbal treatments and achieve remarkable efficacy.
- Wind-damp-heat: The lesions are patchy, light brown in colour, rough and thick, with severe paroxysmal itching, especially at night. Patients have white tongue coating and exhibit soft and slow pulse. Treatment aims to remove heat and dispel dampness, remove wind and relieve itching. Chinese herbal formulations / phytotherapei, acupuncture, moxibustion and cupping are combined.
- Blood deficiency and wind dryness: The skin lesions are pale or grey, thick and rough, often accompanied by palpitations, shortness of breath and weakness, excessive menstruation in women, pale tongue and deep, weak pulse. Treatment aims to nourish the blood and moisten the dryness, dispel the wind and relieve itching.
- Spleen deficiency and dampness: The skin lesions are dark grey, thick and smooth, with abdominal distension. Patients have poor digestion, diarrhoea, a fat tongue with teeth marks on the side and a thick white tongue coating, and exhibit slow and weak pulse. Treatment is aimed at strengthening the spleen and eliminating dampness. Acupuncture and moxibustion are combined with cupping, and supported with herbal therapy.
- Liver depression and fire: red rash. Patients are disturbed or depressed, show insomnia and daydreaming, dizziness, palpitations and bitterness in the mouth and throat. They show red tongue edge and tip with a thin white tongue coating and have a tight and rolling pulse. Treatment aims to open the liver, remove the heat and nourish the blood. Acupuncture and moxibustion of acupoints are combined with plum blossom needling, and supported with phytotherapy.