Diseases of the Skin - Transformational Techniques

[Pages:8]Diseases of the Skin

Things to Remember: In Chinese Medicine it is said that the skin is ruled by the Lungs because the Lung is responsible for moisture reaching the surface of the body. It maintains the Wei Qi at the surface, and keeps the skin supple and lubricated.

Pathologies can be created by invasions of Wind/Damp, Wind/Cold and Wind/Heat. Also internal wild, damp and heat will manifest.

The Blood is important for moistening, cooling and balancing, so Blood Deficiencies and Blood Heat may also be causative factors.

The Liver may be implicated, because of its role in cleaning the blood. The Kidney Yin may be implicated because of its role in nourishing and cooling the Blood. Spleen Qi deficiencies may play a role because of their impact on the colon and its ability to detoxify the body.

The skin is usually an excellent indicator of the overall state of the body because it reflects internal balances so clearly. Even outside invasions (such as fungal or staphococcal infections) are an indication that immunities are perhaps impaired.

Western Medicine generally only uses suppressive therapies, generally either antibiotics or steroidal in nature. These therapies do not address the underlying imbalance and will often drive it inward where it will manifest in another, more serious symptom. An example of this is the use of steroids to treat eczema, which will then often manifest as Asthma.

IN GERNERAL SKIN DISEASES ARE TWO TYPES: INFECTIOUS AND NONINFECTIOUS

INFECTIOUS Staph infections: boils, wound Strep:

Erysipelas Impetigo Scarlet Fever Viral Infections: Measles Rubella Shingles Chicken Pox Fungal Infections: Ringworm Pityriasis versicolor Candidiasis

NON-INFECTIOUS Eczema Psoriasis Acne vulgaris Acne rosacea Urticaria Vitiligo Contact Dermatitis: Poison Ivy Allergic Tumors/Cancers Warts Basal cell carcinoma Squamous cell carcinoma Malignant melanoma

Parasitic: Scabies Head and body lice

Karposi's sarcoma

In treating skin diseases the symptoms may get temporarily worse, especially if you are withdrawing patients from suppressive therapies. Because of the cosmetic factors involved it is wide to carefully weigh the value of removing them from suppressive therapies against the degree of exacerbation you think may occur and the ability of the patient to handle the exacerbation.

Hering's Law of Cure: Diseases on the lowermost and outermost parts of the body are least severe. You can expect that as skin begins to improve that the feet and lower limbs may be the last to clear up. Conversely, often as a skin problem worsens it spreads upward.

Stephen Gascoigne in his The Manual of Conventional Medicine for Alternative Practitioners states, "any skin condition of an infective type will become rapidly much worse if corticosteroids are given. Conversely, antibiotics and antifungal preparations have a propensity to cause allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin.

In skin problems, in general avoid things that may exacerbate symptoms by setting off sensitivities. Common ones to be suspicious of are: wool, petroleum products, oils, cleaning agents aimed at oily skin, metals that come in contact with the skin from watches, jewelry, etc, cosmetic chemicals, household cleansers, laundry soaps, rubber.

Food additives and food allergies can also play an important role in many problems such as eczema, uticaria, etc.

PROBLEMS IN THE SKIN/TCM DIAGNOSIS

ECZEMA ? The most common diagnosis is Wind/Heat and Wind/Heat Dampness penetrating the skin (acute). ? Chronic eczema is viewed generally as Heat lodging in the Blood in those who are Blood Deficient. ? If there is Dampness, the Spleen Qi may also be deficient. ? Lung Deficiency can also be an underlying factor. ? If the Liver is deficient, or hot, it will contribute to the "Hot Blood." Also, Deficient Blood is commonly a result of Deficient Liver Yin and Deficient Kidney Yin. ? Treatment involves clearing Heat and Damp, tonifying underlying deficiencies.

Useful advice: ? Moisturize skin with a healing salve, avoid petroleum products. ? Consider diet, environmental and occupational chemical loads. ? Reduce stress as much as possible, as stress is often a precipitating factor.

? Supplement with C, 500-1000 mg 3xD, Flaxseed oil 1 tbsp daily, Quercetin and Bromelain combination at 200-400 mg of each before meals.

? I have found green clay made into a very light wash with a strong solution of Chamomile to be useful in controlling the discomfort.

? Essential oils to consider: Geranium, Lavender, Blue Chamomile and Sage.

PSORIASIS ? The most common diagnosis is that there is an underlying Blood Deficiency with heat, and/or also Wind and Damp. ? Because it so frequently is located over the extensor surfaces of the elbow and knee one must also consider a diagnosis of Heat in the Stomach and Intestines. This diagnosis should also be accompanied by other factors pointing to stomach heat. ? The Liver is often involved, as in Deficient Liver Blood, or as a Liver Qi deficiency. Often psoriasis is seen with Liver Qi deficiency symptoms such as PMS, irritability and depression. ? Treatment is directed toward clearing heat and tonifying the underlying deficiencies.

Useful Advice: ? Stress is a big factor; a relaxation regime would be very helpful. ? Remove foods that may be problematic; eliminate alcohol, caffeine and sugar. Avoid excessive fat. ? Drink plenty of fluids. ? Try the natural, non-steroidal cr?me called Simicort. ? Supplement with 500-1000 mg C 3xD, 1-2 tbsp Flaxseed oil, Vitamin E 200-400 IU daily, Pancreatic (8-10x), 3450-700 mg 3xD. ? A wash made of equal parts: Lavender, Violet flowers, Borage and Lemon Balm flowers. ? Essential oils to consider: Lavender, Bergamot, Sage, Hyssop, Blue Chamomile.

ACNE VULGARIS ? Common acne, which tends to be closely associated with hormonal problems, especially in adolescence, is considered a heat condition. It usually involves heat in the Lungs, Spleen and Stomach and is generally accompanied by Liver Qi stagnation. ? The heat in the Lungs, Spleen, etc. May also be caused buy a flaring of the Liver Fire. ? There may also be some underlying Spleen Qi deficiency which causes poor elimination of toxins through the bowel, causing the blood to be more toxic (Blood Cleansers and things to improve the vowel functions are useful here) ? Treatment involves cooling the heat, clearing the Blood of toxins and supporting the underlying deficiencies. It often helps to regulate the hormones and to support the endocrine system as a whole.

Useful Advice:

? Eliminate sugars and excessively fatty foods ? Use gentle, non-chemical cleansers ? Mist face 3xD with lavender essential oils ? Vitamin C 500-1000 mg 3xD. 1 tbsp Flaxseed oil daily, Vitamin E 200-400 IU

daily ? A face mask of green clay applied for ten minutes daily, using a strong solution of

Chamomile teas as the liquid ? Useful oils: Geranium, Lavender, Carrot Seed, Sage and Thyme.

ACNE ROSACEAE ? This is commonly considered to be a Stagnant Blood condition (local to face) caused by the Lung being injured by Stomach Fire. ? Alternatively, the Liver may be flaring upward, and healing the Lung. Look for either symptoms of indigestion or more liver based problems to differentiate. ? Treatment would be to Clear the Heat, tonify the Lung and move the Blood.

Useful Advice: ? Eliminate sugars, refined foods and excess fats ? Avoid dairy, caffeine and alcohol ? Supplement as you would for any acne ? Consider essential oils: Carrot Seed, Lavender, Chamomile, Bergamot, Cedar and Thyme. ? Use the same facemask and washes as for acne.

URTUCARIA ? This is commonly considered to be a Wind condition. Secondary factors are Dampness and Heat penetrating the skin. More occasionally it may be Wind/Cold. (Cold weather will make it worse). ? Internal causes include Heat collecting in the Stomach and Intestines, followed by Wind. ? The rash will be bright red if it is Wind/Heat. When dampness is a factor it will be a more dull color, with sensations of heaviness in the body. ? Treatment is to disperse the Wind, activate the Blood. Tonifying underlying deficiencies if necessary.

Useful Advice: ? Topical calendula cream may be soothing. ? I really recommend acupuncture for Uticaria, as it is extremely helpful. ? Useful oils are: Orange, Lavender and Marjoram ? Allergies are so commonly a cause that one should carefully examine the diet. ? Remove all additives, chemicals and irritants from the person. Look carefully at any medications that they are on. Muscle test all medications and herbs. ? In extreme cases, where the person is reacting to everything, try putting them on brown rice that has been cooked for a very long time. This is perfectly digestible and will help their systems to settle.

ALOPECIA ? This is considered to be a sever sign of deficiency of Kidney and Blood, and is often seen subsequent to shocks and or blood loss. ? Tonify the Kidney Yin and the Blood. ? Because this is such a deep condition, improvement may be slow. Generally the longer the patient has had it the longer it will take to treat.

Useful Advice: ? I have found a product called Trigenesis by Mediplex to be useful topically, when used in tandem with systemic treatments. ? Using a Nettle infusion as a final rinse for the hair may help. ? Useful essential oils, which can be rubbed into the scalp, include Rosemary and Chamomile.

VITILIGO ? The Chinese call this a "White Wind" due its off appearance and because they believe it is an invasion of Wind and Damp. Because this is an autoimmune disease there are always other internal factors. ? The Liver should always be considered a source of the problem, (Yves Requena considers Vitiligo to be a disease to which Liver Yin types are prone), also the Kidney Yin which may be failing to ground the Liver. ? The Spleen may be involved as a possible source of Damp. ? Use differential diagnosis to determine the basis - this should not be hard since there are most likely other serious disease factors present including diabetes, anemia, Addison's disease etc. Then focus treatment toward clearing the Wind/Damp and tonifying the underlying condition.

Useful Advice: ? Try Simicort on the affected areas ? Essential oils to consider: Lavender ? Remove all chemicals, irritating foods, processed foods from the diet. ? Avoid sugar, caffeine and alcohol.

STAPH INFECTIONS Boils are the most common form, although staph can infect any wound. In either case the diagnosis and treatment remains fundamentally the same. If Staph has penetrated to any degree, however, it should be dealt with Antibiotic therapy because it becomes very dangerous and very difficult to treat once it invades the deeper levels of the body. If a person is susceptible to boils one ought to suspect underlying illness.

? Traditionally they considered this to be a Heat condition caused by the excessive intake of alcohol and greasy foods causing poison to collect in the organs.

? A secondary possibility is that there is an invasion of some external poison, which invades the skin, obstructs the Qi and Blood, and creates heat.

? Treatment is to eliminate Heat from the blood and to activate it. It addition, one must topically treat the infection with anti-infective agents and make sure the patient's hygiene is careful.

Useful Advice: ? Take showers instead of baths and take care of any linen you use, as staph is very infectious. ? Resist the impulse to burst a boil; if it really needs to be lanced have it done by a physician as doing it improperly may cause the infection to go deeper. I recommend the use of drawing poultices and hot compresses every two hours followed by the application of antibiotic essential oils such as: Tea Tree, Thyme and Ravensare. ? Take 1000-2000 mg Vitamin. C, 200-400 mg Vitamin. E daily, and 1 tbsp Flax Seed oil daily. ? As prevention and for the wound/boil itself, dust on powdered Lycopodium spores.

STEPTOCOCUS INFECTIONS Strep infections can take many forms, such as tonsillitis, wound infections, puerperal fever. In terms of skin problems it can enter the circulatory system and produce a rash called Scarlet fever or an illness called Erysipelas. It can also be a cause of Impetigo (which could be staph as well).

ERYSIPELAS ? In Chinese Medicine this disease is cause by Heat and Poison which collects in the skin and blocks the channels, causing Blood and Qi stagnation. ? Treatment is directed to cooling heat, activating Blood. ? TCM using cupping and bleeding in this conditions.

Useful Advice: ? Birch essential oil can be useful in relieving the heat, also lavender in a mist on the affected tissues. ? Acupuncture is especially useful for this illness. ? Take 1000-2000 mg Vitamin C 2xD.

SCARLET FEVER ? Basically a sever source of tonsillitis, the traditional view is that this condition is a flare-up of heat into the throat from either the lung or the stomach when there is an acute attack of Wind/Heat and Wind/Cold. ? When this has progressed to Scarlet Fever the Heat has moved to the Blood, causing a blood heat condition, which manifests on the skin. ? Treatment is directed to cooling the heat, clearing the wind and tonifying any underlying deficiencies. Because of the danger of it migrating one needs to treat promptly and efficiently.

Useful Advice:

? Useful essential oils would be Birch, Lavender and Chamomile (to cool skin and itch), Thyme and Ravensare for infection.

? The Kidneys and Heart must be supported, since they can both be endangered by strep.

? It is extremely important to keep the patient hydrated.

IMPETIGO ? Can be strep or staph ? Typically impetigo is considered to be heat in the Lung channel and damp in the Stomach Channel. Treatment is directed to cooling the heat and to astringing damp, also topical ointments are used such as Hua Tuo Gao.

Useful Advice: ? It is important to avoid spreading the lesions. Topical use of Tea Tree and Thyme essential oils are useful. Wash areas well and use antiseptic washes. ? I have found Calendula and Yarrow wash to be useful. ? Using 1000-2000 mg Vitamin C, 400 IU Vitamin E and 10 mg Zinc.

RUBELLS/MEASLES ? Both are seen as an attack of Wind/Heat, but Rubella is generally milder and less lengthy in healing. ? Depending on where the complications ser in, measles can also involve the Lung, and Heart (in very high fevers). ? The Chinese use diaphoretic and cooling therapies (as we also do in the west).

Useful Advice: ? Management of the early symptoms can often keep this from fully developing into a serious case. At this stage essential oils and diaphoretic teas are best. Useful oils include Eucalyptus and Cinnamon. ? Misting itchy skin with lavender oil in water can be cooling and soothing. ? Thyme baths help the skin; wash can also be useful. ? Juices are good during the fever stage.

CHICKEN POX/SHINGLES/GENITAL HERPES ? These conditions are both caused by the varicella virus, and while chicken pox is not serious in children it can be very serious in adults. One can get chicken pox from someone with Shingles, and Shingles from someone with Chicken Pox. ? In TCM this is considered an invasion of Damp/Heat, as are all Herpes infections, including Genital Herpes. ? Treatment is directed to clearing heat and draining damp, and to tonifying underlying weakness. In the case of chronic shingles or herpes, the Liver Yin may be involved (deficiency causes heat), the Fire Yin may be involved, or Water Yin (when the person is very weak).

Useful Advice:

? Useful oils include Lavender, Sage, Thyme, Ravensare and Birch. ? Topical application of Tea Tree can help lesions. ? St. John's Wort is useful in capsules, also Rhus Tox as a homeopathic. ? In general nervines are useful, and supplementing the B vitamins. ? Lysine supplement are helpful for herpes in general.

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