Atopy: Treatment at a Korean Medicine Clinic

Hello, I am Yeonseung Choi, the chief director of Baekrokdam Korean Medicine Clinic.​

Today, I'd like to delve into atopic dermatitis, an intractable skin disease that threatens the health of our children.​

Table of Contents

1. Atopic Dermatitis: An Adversary Threatening Children's Healthy Growth
2. Atopic Dermatitis from a Korean Medicine Perspective
3. Addressing the Root Cause with Personalized Herbal Medicine Treatment Based on Body Constitution
4. Acupuncture Treatment: Boosting Immune Function and Alleviating Pruritus
5. Consistent Daily Management is Essential
6. Korean Medicine Nurturing Natural Healing Power: A Glimmer of Hope

1. Atopic Dermatitis: An Adversary Threatening Children's Healthy Growth

"My child suffers from severe itching all over their body. Their skin is dry and flaky, and sometimes covered in red rashes. My heart breaks watching them whimper and unable to sleep every night due to the itch."

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin disease commonly occurring in infants and young children, characterized by dryness and pruritus. It is known to develop due to a complex interplay of genetic factors, immunological mechanisms, and environmental stimuli.​ Severe pruritus leads to scratching, which damages the skin barrier and can be accompanied by secondary bacterial infections. This can lead to growth delays due to sleep disturbances, appetite loss, and other issues, hindering the child's healthy growth and development. The decline in quality of life and the physical and emotional distress for families are also considerable.​ While there are individual differences, symptoms typically begin to appear around 2 months of age. Dryness and itching often start on the cheeks, forehead, and skin folds of the limbs. It is simply heartbreaking to see the marks of red rashes lingering on the skin of our children, which should rightfully be beautiful and bright.​

2. Atopic Dermatitis from a Korean Medicine Perspective

In Korean Medicine, atopic dermatitis is understood to arise from dysfunction in the Spleen's (脾) transport and transformation (運化) function and reduced dispersing and descending (宣發肅降) function of the Lung (肺). The Spleen (脾) transports the essence of food and water (水穀의 精微) to nourish the skin and muscles (肌膚), while the Lung (肺) governs the opening and closing of the body surface (體表의 開闔) and is responsible for skin nourishment.​ If the functions of the Spleen (脾) and Lung (肺) are congenitally (先天的) weak, phlegm and retained fluid (痰飮) and dampness (濕) accumulate, and defensive Qi (衛氣) becomes deficient (虛), failing to prevent the invasion of external pathogenic factors (邪氣). As skin defense weakens, pathogenic factors like Wind (風), Dampness (濕), and Heat (熱) easily invade, leading to symptoms.​

Furthermore, the Kidney (腎) is considered the root of congenital essence (先天의 근본). If Kidney Yin (腎陰) is deficient (虧虛) or there is Yin deficiency with internal heat (陰虛火旺), skin nourishment becomes suboptimal. Symptoms of dryness and heat (燥熱) become prominent, and itching tends to worsen. If Liver Qi stagnation (肝氣鬱結) occurs due to emotional stress (情志 스트레스) in daily life (平素), it can impede the circulation of Qi and Blood (氣血 순환에 滯가 생겨), exacerbating symptoms.​

3. Addressing the Root Cause with Personalized Herbal Medicine Treatment Based on Body Constitution

In Korean medicine treatment for atopic dermatitis, it is crucial to appropriately tonify deficiency (虛) and clear excess (實) while eliminating pathogenic factors (邪氣). The treatment principle (治法) involves restoring the functions of the Spleen (脾) and Lung (肺) to boost immunity, while simultaneously expelling external pathogenic factors (外邪) such as Wind (風), Dampness (濕), and Heat (熱).​ For the Damp-Heat type (濕熱型), prescriptions like Hwangnyeon Haedok-tang (黃連解毒湯 - Coptis Decoction to Relieve Toxicity) and Sopung-san (消風散 - Eliminate Wind Powder) are used to clear heat and resolve dampness (清熱瀉濕), alleviating skin heat and itching. For the Blood Deficiency and Wind-Dryness type (血虛風燥型), Danggwi-eumja (當歸飮子 - Angelica Sinensis Decoction) or herbs that nourish blood and moisten dryness (生血潤燥) are used to improve skin dryness, along with herbs that expel wind and stop itching (疏風止痒).​

For children with weak Spleen and Stomach (脾胃), prescriptions like Sagunja-tang (四君子湯 - Four Gentlemen Decoction) or Yukgunja-tang (六君子湯 - Six Gentlemen Decoction) are administered to strengthen the Spleen and supplement Qi (健脾補氣), with careful adjustments based on the child's appetite and bowel movements. If there is concurrent nasal discharge (鼻淵) or issues affecting the head and face (面目), prescriptions like Sinyi Cheongpye-tang (辛夷清肺湯 - Magnolia Flower and Akebia Decoction to Clear the Lungs) or Galgeun-tang (葛根湯 - Kudzu Decoction) can provide effects such as dispersing Lung Qi and opening the orifices (宣肺利竅) and releasing the exterior and dispersing wind (解表散風).​ Thus, the key is to differentiate between deficiency and excess (虛實) and understand the nature of pathogenic factors (邪氣) to provide individualized prescriptions. When combined with external treatment methods (外治法) such as topical application therapies using preparations like eczema ointments (濕疹膏) or itch-stopping powders (止癢散), the therapeutic effect can be further enhanced.​

4. Acupuncture Treatment: Boosting Immune Function and Alleviating Pruritus

Acupuncture therapy is also effective in treating atopic dermatitis. By stimulating acupoints such as Baihui (百會) and Dazhui (大椎), it is possible to suppress allergic reactions and regulate the immune system. Acupoints on the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming (足陽明胃經), such as Zusanli (足三里) and Quchi (曲池), help restore the functions of the Spleen and Stomach (脾胃).​

Furthermore, stimulating acupoints like Fengmen (風門) and Fengchi (風池) can dispel Wind (祛風) and suppress pruritus. Stimulating Xingjian (行間) or Taichong (太衝) on the Liver Meridian (肝經) to resolve Liver Qi stagnation (肝氣鬱結) is also important. Auricular acupuncture therapy (耳鍼療法) is also utilized to regulate imbalances in the endocrine (內分泌) and immune (免疫) systems.​

5. Consistent Daily Management is Essential

Along with Korean medicine treatment, consistent daily management is crucial. Above all, meticulous attention to environmental control is necessary. It is important to ventilate indoor spaces frequently to prevent dryness and maintain appropriate humidity. Efforts should also be made to eliminate dust mites.​

Bathe daily using lukewarm water and a mild, slightly acidic cleanser, gently wiping away sweat and sebum. Apply moisturizers generously while the skin is still damp. It's also wise to dress your child in soft cotton clothing rather than synthetic fabrics that could cause irritation.​

Dietary management also requires attention. While avoiding allergy-triggering foods, focus on nutritious and easily digestible meals. Supplement protein with fish or plant-based meat substitutes rather than red meat, and increase vitamin intake with vegetables and fruits. The active use of probiotic foods is also highly recommended for gut health.​

6. Korean Medicine Nurturing Natural Healing Power: A Glimmer of Hope

"My child has improved so much with Korean medicine treatment. Their skin dryness and itching have noticeably improved, and I felt relieved seeing them sleep well at night. As their physical condition improved, their personality also brightened, and they seem to have gained confidence."

A warm touch that embraces the hearts of children struggling and disheartened by atopic dermatitis. Herbal medicine treatment and acupuncture therapy, which draw out the power of natural healing, offer hope in restoring healthy skin and bright smiles to our children.​