I'm Itchy All Over: What Causes This Itchy Sensation? | Incheon Pruritus
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Incheon Pruritus
Hello, this is Yeon-seung Choi, a Doctor of Korean Medicine at Baengnokdam Korean Medicine Clinic.
This is the story of a 41-year-old working mother. Itching that kept her from sleeping every night. A frustrating itch that wasn't relieved even when scratched. Every evening, she'd habitually pop a cetirizine (Zyrtec) pill into her mouth before finally trying to sleep.
She was diagnosed with 'neurogenic pruritus' at a dermatology clinic. The moment we hear such words, we begin to doubt ourselves: "Am I just too sensitive?" Perhaps what was even more difficult for her was not the discomfort itself, but the sense of isolation from no one believing her sensations.
The Two Faces of Itching: Excess and Deficiency
Itching has two faces:
- Itching of Excess: This is a visible problem caused by external enemies (allergens) or internal heat (inflammation), like hives or contact dermatitis. The cause is relatively clear, like an alarm ringing when a burglar breaks into a house.
- Itching of Deficiency: This is an invisible itch that arises from internal system problems, even though the surface appears normal. It's not like a burglar broke into the house, but rather that there's a problem with the house's electrical wiring itself.
Why Moisturizers and Antihistamines Are Not the Answer
The nerves in our body are like electrical wires. And these wires are protected by a strong insulation made of nourishing substances called 'Blood (血)' and 'body fluids (Jinyeok, 津液)'. When this insulation is intact, nerve signals flow stably. However, excessive mental exertion, chronic stress, and insufficient sleep invisibly wear down this insulation.
Traditional Korean Medicine's Diagnosis: Naming the Invisible Itch
Traditional Korean Medicine gives this invisible itch a clear name: 'Blood Deficiency Generating Wind (Hyeolheosaengpung, 血虛生風)'. When we break down its meaning character by character, it is this: when Blood (血), the nourishing substance that vitalizes our body, becomes deficient (虛), and the skin dries out like parched earth, Wind (風) spontaneously arises (生) there.
How to Nourish the Body Instead of Applying Medicine to the Skin
The goal of treatment then becomes clear. It's not about suppressing sparks, but about 're-insulating the worn-out sheathing.' The Traditional Korean Medicine approach focuses on two things:
- Nourishing Blood (Bohyeol, 補血) and Replenishing Yin (Jaeum, 滋陰): Directly supplementing the Blood and body fluids (Jinyeok) – the materials for the insulation – with Korean herbal medicine, to moisten the dry ground.
- Calming the Spirit (Ansin, 安神): Stabilizing the already oversensitive nerves so they are not startled by even small sparks.
Itching is the most honest signal my body sends, indicating 'nutritional deficiency.' Through this signal, we address the body's fundamental state of weakness and regain a healthy sense of stability. That is the goal of this long journey.
Information Regarding Consultations
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Baengnokdam Korean Medicine Clinic, 3rd Floor, Songdo Dream City, 81 Convensia-daero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon