Treating Pediatric Eczema Naturally
Rehmannia root is traditionally combined with other herbs for inflamed skin in Chinese Medicine.
The Natural Treatment of Eczema in Children:
A Case Study using Chinese Medicine Dermatology
Atopic Eczema, a common inflammatory skin condition in children, can be a source of great discomfort, affecting nearly 13% of children in the United States. The rising prevalence of this condition is a cause for concern, given that less than half of affected children experience complete resolution by the age of seven.
Additionally, atopic eczema is often linked to the development of other allergic conditions like asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food allergies, driven by IgE antibodies. In this blog post, we delve into a case study that demonstrates how Chinese medicine offers a unique approach to treating pediatric atopic eczema, focusing on a 3-year-old boy who struggled with itchy, red skin.
Understanding Atopic Eczema in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):
In TCM, eczema is viewed through the lens of “dampness” and “heat.” Herbal formulas must consider the percentage of both factors to tailor treatment effectively. Internal herbal medicine, topical creams, and baths are used to address both the internal and external inflammation.
The Case Study:
A 3-year-old boy presented with itchy, red skin that had plagued him since around 6 months of age. The condition primarily affected the flexures of his arms and legs, leading to sleep disturbances from incessant itching and scratching. Over time, his skin had become lichenified and thickened from the scratching, and his parents noticed that the itching and redness worsened after he consumed dairy products and sugar.
Initial Assessment:
The child’s pediatrician confirmed the diagnosis of atopic eczema, and the child's medical history revealed no prior antibiotic use or allergies. Other than his skin, he had no other health concerns. There was a family history of eczema, food allergies, seasonal allergies, and other skin conditions.
TCM Diagnosis:
This case is best described as fetal heat accompanied by dampness and wind. Fetal heat is believed to be transferred from the mother to the child during pregnancy, influenced by spicy foods, stress, or the mother's constitution. The diagnosis was supported by the child's red, itchy skin, papules, red-tipped tongue, restlessness, and rapid pulse.
Treatment Plan:
The Chinese medicine treatment principle was to clear heat, drain dampness, extinguish wind, and stop itch.
The traditional formula "Dao Chi San" was modified for the child, which included various herbal ingredients with specific properties to address his condition.
Formula Ingredients (Dao Chi San, Modified)
Sheng di huang
Mu dan pi
Mu tong
Dan zhu ye
Jin yin hua
Fu ling
Cang zhu
Bai xian pi
Gan cao
The formula was designed to cool heart fire, nourish Yin, cool blood, and generate fluids. It also included ingredients to clear heat, promote urination, relieve toxicity, and harmonize the formula.
The formula was cooked into a strong tea, then prepared as a syrup to make it more palatable for the young child.
Evening Primrose is an ingredient in the cream from Dermatology-M.
In addition, an herbal bath was prescribed, and two herbal creams from Dermatology-M with ingredients to quell the inflammation and stop the itch. Some of the ingredients in the creams include indigo, chamomile, arnebia root, and evening primrose oil.
Outcome:
The child consumed about 1 week of the internal herbs before he stopped taking them, due to the taste. At this point the rash had completely disappeared, but the itch remained.
He continued taking herbal baths and using the creams, and the itching disappeared completely after three weeks.
The child’s sleep also improved, as he was no longer itchy at night.
He was able to consume dairy products and sugar without experiencing itchy skin.
Upon further correspondence with his parents, the child’s skin has remained clear for the past several years, with no recurrences of eczema or itchiness.
Conclusion:
Herbal medicine may be quite supportive for children with itchy, inflamed skin.
Of course, not every case is quite so straightforward, and results are never guaranteed. But if your child is experiencing eczema in San Francisco, I’d love to explore with you whether herbal medicine may help them.
You can learn more about my pediatric dermatology offerings here.
References:
Bantz, S. K., Zhu, Z., & Zheng, T. (2014, April). The Atopic March: Progression from Atopic Dermatitis to Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma.
Bensky, D., Gamble, A., Clavey, S., & Stöger Erich. (2015). Chinese herbal medicine.
Silverberg, J. I., & Simpson, E. L. (2014). Associations of childhood eczema severity: a US population-based study.
Xu, Y. (2004). Dermatology in traditional Chinese medicine.