Traditional Chinese Medicine for Eczema and Topical Steroid Withdrawal

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient healing system that developed out of the observations that natural substances can be used to improve human health.  While its history goes back thousands of years, TCM continues to evolve in our modern world.

Amidst the growing fear and concern regarding the negative effects that steroid creams have on the body –  including the painful symptoms of “addiction” and “withdrawal” – many people are turning away from this conventional approach of treating eczema and turning instead to TCM. 

Read on to discover the benefits of Chinese herbs and how they can be used to treat eczema in lieu of topical steroids. 

If you’ve been suffering fromTSW and have tried countless creams and treatments, we encourage you to read on. Please keep in mind that although these suggestions can help provide relief, we are in no way medical professionals. 

What is Traditional Chinese Medicine? 

Traditional Chinese Medicine for eczema is a treatment that promotes self-healing by focusing on establishing and maintaining the balance of yin-yang (opposite complementary forces) within the body.  It uses a combination of creams, baths, teas, and pills to calm the overactive immune system characteristic of eczema.   

The beauty of TCM is that there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution.  Instead, treatment is customized for each patient.  This philosophy gives the trained practitioner the ability to understand the root of the condition so that in turn, the cause of the symptoms can be treated.  

What is Topical Steroid Withdrawal? 

TSW – also known as Red Skin Syndrome (RSS) or Topical Steroid Addiction (TSA) – is a term used to describe the debilitating condition that results when long-time users stop or reduce the application of topical steroids to treat a skin condition.  Symptoms of “withdrawal” from the topical steroids include intense itchiness, a burning sensation, and extremely red or inflamed skin.  Despite conflicting research that both supports and discourages the use of topical steroids, one thing is certain: Topical Steroid Withdrawal is real and requires medical attention to avoid infection. 

Benefits of Chinese Medicine for Eczema 

Studies show that Chinese herbal therapy decreases the severity of symptoms in patients whose atopic eczema had been unresponsive to traditional treatments – such as the use of topical steroids [1].

Chinese medicine for eczema has also proven to be effective in improving the quality of life in patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis [2]. In addition, because its formula is palatable and well-tolerated, it can be used to reduce topical corticosteroid use in children [3].

While the effectiveness of the treatment is contingent on the skill of the practitioner and the ability of the patient to take the medicine as instructed, Chinese herbs for eczema definitely provide a therapeutic alternative for children and adults whose eczema has failed to respond to conventional treatments [4].

If you’re looking for a TCM practitioner specializing in eczema or Topical Steroid Withdrawal, check out TCM Dermatology.

Have you tried Traditional Chinese Medicine for eczema?  What results did you see? Let us know in the comments below!

References

Cl. and Experimental Dermatol. 1995 March; 20(2): 136-140

Complementary therapies in medicine 2015 Oct;23(5):644-651

Br J Dermatol. 2007 Aug; 157(2):357-363

Br J Dermatol. 1994 Apr;130(4):488-93.