Chinese Medicine and Dermatology

Chinese Medicine provides patients with great results for skin conditions. It excels in the treatment of Acne, flushing of the face, Rosacea and itching disorders such as Eczema and Psoriasis.

Generally most skin conditions do not respond favourably to western medical intervention. This is usually because the creams or pills given only treat the symptoms and when patients come off their medications, symptoms will usually reappear.

Often many people with skin conditions are placed on the contraceptive pill, antibiotics or Roacatene. The use of Roacatene has led many patients to complain of skin hypersensitivity and dryness. The use of the contraceptive pill usually masks the symptoms of acne whilst on the pill, yet symptoms persist for years when women take themselves off it.

Chinese medicine believes that skin conditions arise from a number of other issues such as too much heat in the body, bad digestion or bad circulation. From our experience clients will see positive changes to their skin within 5 or so weeks. You do not need to be on herbs or have acupuncture for years on end, results start to show within a few weeks and the skin improves dramatically after around 5 or 6 sessions. When you stop taking herbal medications there is no recurrence of the skin problem.

Chinese Medicine works by regulating the body's energy or meridian system. The theory is that if there is blockage in our body or in the meridians, disease will occur. Skin conditions are usually a mix of problems associated with heat, poor digestion, inadequate circulation, stagnation of energy and emotional or hormonal problems.

When you arrive for your consultation you will be given an herbal prescription that fits your particular skin condition exactly. In fact no two prescriptions are alike, so another client may be attending the clinic for an acne condition and leave with an entirely different prescription. This is because Chinese Medicine treats all symptoms as important. Other analysed symptoms relate to your digestion, energy levels, sleep patterns and emotional state. Chinese medicine works so well for skin conditions because we take into consideration many other factors and provide a comprehensively tailored treatment.

As mentioned earlier skin conditions can arise from too much heat, which is often the case for Psoriasis, Acne and Eczema. Many cases of skin conditions usually have an emotional element. Stress can usually trigger an outbreak and this can create a vicious cycle as skin outbreaks can look unsightly, thus affecting self esteem. Many of our patients complain that when their skin feels terrible they become stressed and withdraw, feeling they can't leave the home looking the way they do. Many people with skin conditions usually have demanding careers or workloads, having to work in team environments and this can really affect their performance. Make up can assist in concealment but usually aggravates symptoms by drying out the skin even further. So the cycle continues indefinitely.

At our Skin Clinic we have a range of facial creams from the Australian owned Safflower group. These are made using a vegetable cream base with pure Chinese Medicine essential oil extracts. These creams are surprisingly inexpensive and offer our dermatology clients quick relief from mild acne to severe psoriasis. Above all the ointments have absolutely no side effects. This is very important as many of our clients can be hypersensitive to over the counter or prescription creams that have been inappropriately prescribed.

Skin management requires a little patience and there are some simple lifestyle changes that can make all the difference. At our skin clinic we have recognised that some foods can be irritants and some foods can have many benefits. Please read on.

Chinese Medicine does believe that skin conditions can be helped or aggravated by certain foods. At our clinic we like to be realistic about dietary habits. We believe that you should not have to eliminate everything from your diet, as this seldom works, or if it does, it provides a short lived result. The key is moderation and we do believe that if your digestion is working well your body should be able to deal with a low level of stimulants and irritants with little or no side effects. Now this is the tricky part - usually our skin patients have some mild digestive problems and this is where Chinese Medicine excels at getting the health of your stomach lining in check.

The health of your digestion is intimately linked to your skin, so this has a flow on effect with your complexion, then your energy and metabolism. The side effects of Chinese Medicine are that your energy improves, muscle tone improves, bowel movements become more regular, and sugar and other cravings for stimulants decrease. In fact most people notice that after treatment their cravings decrease. This is because their digestion is working much better at extracting all the nutrients from their food to make into readily available energy. So it is wise to look at your cravings as a symptom of inadequate and inefficient digestion and not berate yourself too much. Once the herbs start having an effect you will not indulge as much.

In many cases coffee seems to aggravate the redness associated with acne and the itch associated with eczema and psoriasis. So we advise our clients to drink tea instead. Options include Green Tea, Chrysanthemum Tea and even good quality black tea is okay. Once the skin condition has settled you will find that reintroducing coffee will not have an adverse effect.

One of the advantages of Chinese Medicine for skin conditions is that the skin does not get worse before it gets better, which is a usual side effect of ointments such as benzoyl peroxide (BP), which cause redness, hypersensitivity and peeling. Using BP should not be considered lightly, it causes the skin to peel, causing excessive dryness. As the skin looses its elasticity, it looks aged and dehydrated. For those who like to use make up this causes more problems as the BP takes all the moisture out of the skin causing make up to look very flaky.

Acne

Acne is a disease that affects the skin's oil glands. The skins pores which connect to oil glands under the skin secrete an oily substance called sebum. The pores connect to glands by a canal (a follicle). Inside these follicles, oil carries dead skin cells to the surface of the skin. A thin hair also grows through the follicle and out to the skin. When the follicle clogs up, a pimple will grow.

Acne develops when hair, sebum, and skin cells clump together into a plug. The bacteria in the plug causes inflammation and swelling. There are many forms of acne ranging from the relatively mild whiteheads to very painful and unsightly cysts which tend to scar.

How to treat Acne

Decrease consumption of spicy foods, such as chilli.

Decrease consumption of coffee, this is particularly important in cases of acne that involve red, hot or inflamed spots that are painful. You can substitute the coffee for Green or Black Tea instead as both assist with inflammation.

It is important to avoid picking at pimples or spots as this can produce scarring. If pimples feel painful we recommend a herbal face wash of chrysanthemum tea or green tea to sooth the face.

The scarring associated with acne is difficult to treat so prevention is better than cure. We do have creams and teas that help with pigmentation but patience is needed as these are long term treatments. Once you have been treated for the acne, and it has resolved, we can give you creams and ointments that will gradually help with scarring and pigmentation problems. Acupuncture is great at treating scarring, if the scars are relatively new, but many sessions are needed for good results.

Benzoyl Peroxide (BP), Green Tea, Acne and Skin conditions.

Green tea contains catechins and anti-oxidants which are beneficial to health. Green Tea also contains-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, making it ideal for internal and external application, to help heal your skin and reduce the appearance of acne. Green tea has been found to have similar acne fighting properties as benzoyl peroxide (but without the obvious side effects). From a western medical perspective the catechins in green tea have anti-bacterial effects. Benzoyl Peroxide does actually clear the skin tone of acne but the side effects are numerous, such as skin peeling, hypersensitivity, skin irritation, possible UV damage and dryness. Once patients discontinue the creams the acne comes back again, so you are left with the residual side effects and the acne!

Scrubbing the skin vigorously with cleansers and scrubs can aggravate acne. Use a mild cleanser or herbal teas as a cleanser instead. When shaving, avoid using alcohol based shaving gels and creams, instead use an Aqueous based cream, these are cheap, amazingly gentle on the skin and are available from chemists. Making sure you shave after a shower is better, as the skin is well hydrated and soft. Make sure you use sharp razors as blunt ones irritate the skin.

Possible Acne Irritants

Washing of your face is important, especially after exercise, as oil and sebum build up with activity.

We recommend avoiding cleansers with benzoyl peroxide and washing with paraben and sulphate free products. These are available at health food stores and at our clinic.

Pillows are a big source of skin and sinus irritation and putting your pillow in the sun every few days and changing the pillow cover will also help.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition where parts of the skin become thicker, often scaly; the skin becomes very itchy and inflamed. It is a genetic disorder that occurs when new skin cells form faster than they should and the rate of old cells that shed remain shedding at the same rate. This is what causes the thickening of skin and scaling involved in psoriasis. Sites of the body typically affected in psoriasis are the scalp, elbows, knees, palms and soles of the feet.

From a Chinese Medicine perspective this is a condition that is caused by pathogenic factors, wind, lodging in the skin. Other factors include a type of blood deficiency causing dryness.

Medications on the western medical market to treat psoriasis are numerous and often only yield minimal results at best. Many of the medications are highly toxic and cause many side effects, this requires GP's or skin specialists to refrain from using any one medication long term, often opting for a rotational therapy.

The benefit of Chinese Medicine in the treatment of psoriasis, or any other skin condition, is that the herbs have no side effects as they are tailored to suit the individual constitution. Like in western medicine we also change the herbs we use often, though but not because of their toxicity. We change the prescription because as your skin and general health improves we need to change the dosage and types of herbs in the prescription.

Treatment of psoriasis requires patience. In the initial stages we suggest you attend the skin clinic for weekly appointments as the prescriptions need to be changed according to your body's needs. As your psoriasis stabilises we can see you monthly. In order to see optimal results, a few sessions within a 1 or 2 month period are needed initial stages. Chinese Medicine may be expensive at first, but consider all the money you have spent on medications, with all those side effects, that simply don't work!

Eczema

According to the Eczema Association of Australia, Eczema, atopic dermatitis, is a recurring, non-infectious, inflammatory skin condition affecting one in three Australians at some stage throughout their lives. The condition is most common in people with a family history of an atopic disorder, including asthma or hay fever.

Eczema usually develops in childhood and recurs through adulthood. Lesions are red and dry with severe itching, it is common for the skin to weep, exude a clear fluid, and the skin can have a crusted over appearance. Eczema is a very uncomfortable condition. The itching can be aggravated by stress, heat or contact with certain fibres such as wool. Many patients at our Skin Clinic find themselves waking up in the night having scratched themselves so much that they bleed. This obviously causes serious sleep problems and as energy levels decrease from the sleep disturbance, stress then also takes its toll. Once the stress kicks in a viscous cycle develops. Secondary infections are very common in eczema requiring the use of antibiotics.

The Eczema Association of Australia recommends the following guidelines in helping to prevent an outbreak.

Most importantly, the skin should be kept moist by using a daily moisturiser. Other ways to prevent an outbreak include:

Wearing 100 per cent cotton or soft fabrics - avoiding rough, scratchy fibres and tight clothing

Using rubber gloves with cotton liners

Having lukewarm baths and showers using a non-soap cleanser or hypoallergenic bath oil

Gently patting, not rubbing, the skin dry with a soft towel

Applying a moisturiser within three minutes after bathing to "lock in" the moisture

When possible, avoiding rapid changes of temperature and activities that raise a sweat

Removing carpets and rugs from houses, if possible, and keeping pets outside

Ventilating the house as often as possible

Avoiding stuffed toys which harbour dust mites

Changing bed linen regularly, using specialized dust mite prevention covers

Reducing daily stress

Learning your eczema triggers and how to avoid them.

From a Chinese Medicine perspective we recommend that you avoid hot spicy foods such as chilli or curries. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption. Keeping your fluid intake up throughout the day, drinking cooling teas such as green tea. When the itching is severe, try going for a walk instead or have a warm shower.

At our skin clinic we have a number of creams from the Safflower range that assist with itchiness and inflammation of the skin. We also recommend that when applying a moisturiser you use only natural ingredients. Many of our patients find an Aqueous based cream the best form of moisturiser; these are found over the counter.

Consultation - What to expect

When you attend the skin clinic for your consultation you may be asked many questions that have nothing to do with your skin.

In Chinese Medicine we are looking for patterns of symptoms in order to differentiate why and what is causing your condition. The following is a typical Chinese Medicine questionnaire.

When did the skin condition start?

What aggravates it? For example - heat, cold, stress. (Climate plays a significant role in Chinese Medicine, often prescriptions vary from season to season and the climate in Melbourne will influence your condition)

What improves it? For example - rest, exercise, cooler climates.

How is your energy?

How is your digestion? For example do you suffer from indigestion or difficult bowel movements?

Do you lack energy despite adequate sleep?

Do you have any sleep problems?

Do you have sugar cravings?

Do you sweat easily or often feel overheated?

For our female patients we ask.

Does it get worse around your period?

Do you have regular periods?

Do you suffer from cramping or PMS?

The above questions are just an example of what to expect. The case history in Chinese Medicine is often very thorough, as we are not only looking at your skin to treat your problem, but why it is occurring in the first place.

We believe this in depth look at all physiological systems is why Chinese Medicine works so well, and why often Western Medicine seems to find skin conditions difficult to cure.