Skin itching is so uncomfortable. Four traditional Chinese medicine internal and external methods to fight it

Scabies Itch

The itching usually occurs between the fingers and toes, anus, vulva, lower abdomen, and breast folds. Some cases spread throughout the body. The worms hide during the day and crawl inside the skin at night for mating and foraging. Therefore, the itching is lighter during the day and heavier at night. The itching at this time is like a thorn in the body and is unbearable. If scratched, a yellowish liquid will overflow, which is highly contagious.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, people with damp-heat (wet-fire) constitutions are prone to parasites. As Chen Shigong said, “Damp-fire mixes and turns into worms…which spread throughout the limbs.” People with damp-heat constitutions usually have a greasy yellow tongue coating, a strong body odor, oily skin, and stool that sticks to the toilet bowl.

Traditional Chinese medicine for itchy skin

A review study found that compared with using Western medicine alone, Chinese medicine or a combination of Chinese and Western medicine is more helpful in improving chronic skin itching, such as psoriasis, eczema, urticaria, etc.

Here I would like to introduce two ancient Chinese medical prescriptions that I have used in clinical practice. They are effective for patients with all types of itchy skin.

Toxic Treatment Soup (Compendium of Ulcers and Surgeons) – Treats various stubborn skin diseases

The detoxification soup comes from the ancient book “Yan Yi Da Quan”, which describes that the detoxification soup “cures all long-term pain, itching and sores”, and is mainly used to treat various stubborn skin diseases. Its efficacy is remarkable, especially for patients with long-term itchy skin and even hardened skin.

The composition of the detoxification soup is relatively simple, mainly including the following medicinal materials:

• Polygonum multiflorum: Anti-malaria, detoxification, nourishing essence and blood
• Schizonepeta: dispel wind and relieve itching
• Duhuo: Remove rheumatism and relieve pain
• Fangfeng: dispel wind, relieve symptoms, and relieve itching
• Clematis: dispel wind and dampness, dredge meridians and relieve pain
• Sesame: moisturizes the intestines and promotes bowel movements, nourishes the liver and kidneys
• Acorus calamus: Improve carbuncle, scabies and ringworm
• Sophora flavescens: clearing away heat and dampness, killing insects and relieving itching